Judge Memorial Catholic High School broke ground Tuesday on a new sports field and stadium complex, the first of several planned outside improvement projects.
About 500 students, teachers and community members gathered with red balloons, golden shovels and local officials to celebrate the beginning of the new project.
The school has been conducting a capital campaign dubbed the Judge Legacy Campaign since January 2004.
"This is a school that brings so much to our community that helps out in so many ways," said Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, who gave remarks along with Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon. "All that Judge is about is about community building, making the world a better place and improving the quality of life."
More than $6 million was raised and used for school improvements like enhanced technology in labs, classrooms and commons areas, and remodeled restrooms and office areas.
The current athletic field has uneven grass and drainage problems. The new field and 1,600-seat stadium is scheduled to be completed in August and will also have a track and synthetic turf system.
Other campus improvements to be completed over the next few years include a new performing arts addition, which will include a dance studio and a new athletic center with a second gym, a library and a multimedia center.
Judge Memorial was established more than 85 years ago. It was originally built as a hospital to treat Catholic coal miners working in Park City and suffering from black lung disease. It was turned into a school in the mid-1920s.
E-mail: terickson@desnews.com