Skip to main content

3L7A6466.jpg

Construction Begins on Bend Senior High School

Thursday, June 20 marks the start of demolition and reconstruction of Bend's oldest high school

Article Date: Jun 21, 2024

Thursday, June 20 was “smash day” at Bend Senior High School, as we marked the start of demolition and reconstruction of most of the buildings on campus. This project will take about 4 years to complete, resulting in a modern, functional, efficient new home of the Lava Bears – one that pays tribute to the long and proud history of Bend’s first high school.

This rebuild was made possible thanks to the $249.7 million bond measure approved by voters in November 2022. Of the many facility improvements from that bond program, this one is the biggest. It has been in a design phase for about a year and a half, with BBT Architects leading that work. Kirby Nagelhout Construction Co. has started site work and will oversee demolition this summer of several classroom wings, making way for a new school entrance, office, commons and 3-story classroom building. Two other phases will follow.

The new buildings will complete an update of the BSHS campus that previously included construction of a technology classroom building and the Robert D. Maxwell Center, which includes classrooms and a large multipurpose room.

This will be a bit messy and inconvenient for the new four years, but we’re ready for it! Thank you to our community for continuing to invest in our schools.

View more of the action and images of the future on our Facebook page! View more images of architectural renderings here.


Project overview: In November 2022 voters approved $249.7 million in general obligation bonds to improve safety and modernize aging schools and classrooms in Bend-La Pine Schools. Approximately 59 percent of the total bond package is allocated for the modernization of Bend Senior High School.

The BSHS project has been in a design phase for about a year and a half. Construction begins this summer and will be completed in three phases over four years. The new buildings will complete an update of the BSHS campus that previously included construction of a technology classroom building and the Robert D. Maxwell Center, which includes classrooms and a large multipurpose room.

Phase 1: Demolition of I Hall, D Hall and most of C Hall, and removal of baseball field (summer 2024). Starting in September 2024, construction of a three-story classroom building (B Wing), front entrance, main office and counseling center, commons, outdoor courtyard. Timeline: June 2024-August 2026

Project highlights:

  • New construction of 155,000 square feet
  • Classroom building will house 90 percent of classrooms on campus
  • Commons design will pay tribute to the BSHS history and its alumni
  • Baseball teams will use Vince Genna Stadium during 2025, 2026 seasons

Image of overall building site and phasing

Image of Phase 1 - 3D overall view

Phase 2: Demolition of athletic facilities. Construction of two gymnasiums, athletic facilities and offices; classrooms; school-based health center; varsity baseball field at SE 15th Street athletic complex. Timeline: June 2026-August 2028

Phase 3: Partial demolition of existing structure; combination of new construction and renovation, including auditorium/stage, new performing arts classrooms, updates to central kitchen serving all district schools. Timeline: June 2026-August 2028

Project Team:

  • Chris Reese, Principal, Bend Senior High School
  • Mike Condon, Facilities Construction Project Manager, Bend-La Pine Schools
  • Renée Alexander, Principal, BBT Architects.
  • Bob Barker, Project Manager, Kirby Nagelhout Construction Co.