Phil Castle, The Business Times

Speeches, a marching band and, of course, shovels scooping dirt ceremoniously launched construction of a new Grand Junction High School.

Even as the groundbreaking took place on what was a baseball field, heavy equipment nearby already had broken ground on the $144.5 million project on the northeast portion of the campus. FCI Constructors based in Grand Junction serves as general contractor.

The 250,000-square-foot, three-story high school is scheduled to open in 2024. 

MacKenzie Younker was among those at the ceremony who said they were excited about that prospect. “Never have I felt more Tiger pride than today.”

Younker joined her mother, Megan Younker, and grandfather, Tom Coit, as one of three generations of Grand Junction High School graduates from the same family.

But three generations was enough for a facility constructed in 1956 and showing its age, MacKenzie Younger said. “This building is our future.”

Camille Dowuoana, a student originally from Ghana whose class will be the first to graduate from the new high school, agreed. “The new school will bring new life and new opportunity to students.”

Many of those who spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony praised the willingness of voters to approve a 2021 ballot measure allowing Mesa County School District 51 to increase its debt $115 million to finance construction of a new Grand Junction High School.

The project also will be funded by $19.5 million from a bond measure approved in 2017 as well as $10 million from the state Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) grant program.

Diana Sirko, the retiring superintendent of District 51, called the approval of the 2021 measure by such a large margin a strong statement that will have lasting effects on students and the community.

Tim Foster, the former Colorado Mesa University president who served as co-chairman of the Yes on GJHS 2021 campaign, agreed. “This community supports education in a big way.”

Brian Hill, the incoming District 51 superintendent, said the new Grand Junction High School will offer a state-of-the-art facility.

The new school will house instructional programs for arts and humanities; business and entrepreneurship; engineering, technology and natural resources; and health sciences and human services. The school also will include a 1,500-seat performing arts center, the largest community facility of its kind between Denver and Salt Lake City.

Hill said he’s excited about the future. But the best way to predict the future, he said, is to invent it.

MacKenzie Younker said the new high school demonstrates what happens when people come together. “This building isn’t just about Tiger pride, but Grand Valley pride.”