Opening Fall 2025
The DC West Athletic Complex is progressing on time and on budget. The district has spent the past decade updating and modernizing our educational facilities and performance spaces. Updating outdoor athletic fields has also been on the priority list for capital improvements since a comprehensive facility study was completed in 2013. The school district will make that a reality as we open the new complex for the fall season.
Some common questions that have been raised since the project has been in development are:
How are we paying for this new complex?
This lease purchase project is funded thanks to our taxpayers who already contribute to a building fund levy, which will be used to pay for the project. Financing in this manner allows the district to complete the project without raising the building fund levy.
How will our students get to the new complex safely from campus?
The athletic complex will be utilized for high school athletics. Middle school will still practice and compete on the traditional campus. Many high school students drive, therefore they will change & dress on campus in the new locker rooms and travel in their vehicles to the new facility. The athletic department is working with coaches to transport non-driving students in a school vehicle daily or as needed. Lastly, the district administration is working collaboratively with the city and development partners so that a walking access utilizing the trail will be available if students prefer walking to the complex.
What will students and coaches do in the case of severe weather?
Just as all of our outdoor athletic teams have always done, we will monitor potential weather elements and adjust practice time, location, or strategy accordingly. In the element of surprise severe weather where shelter may be needed, there are three block buildings on the complex that have potential to shelter a team and coaches should immediate safety be needed. In the event of a tornado warning, the team and coaches would be asked to travel together back to campus to enter our rated storm shelters on campus. A full emergency operations plan will be utilized at the new facility, just as we do on our main campus now. Planning and preparation are key in severe weather.
How will traffic management & parking be handled?
The complex parking is 500 stalls and in ratio for need associated with the capacity of the facility. We have been and will continue to work collaboratively with the City of Valley and the Valley Landing Development partners to enhance traffic management and flow of participants to and from events. The City of Valley has secured a grant with MAPA for a traffic study to be completed on the main intersection of Meigs & 270th Street. Although that work or implications from the study will not be completed by the opening of the facility, we will continue to be good partners in providing data and information to the city and development as needed.
We look forward to hosting the community in our new DC West Athletic Complex. Rise up Falcons!
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