PROVO — Heavy equipment struck Timpanogos Elementary again Wednesday.
A new school, dubbed "Timpanogos III" by Principal Diane Bridge will replace the old school built in 1892 on 500 West, expanded twice and rebuilt once already.
The new $11.3 million building includes more land than the previous two schools.
The district quietly purchased a row of five homes behind the school along 600 West, which they are tearing down. Provo will close the street between 400 East and 500 East to make way.
Timpanogos students move to Oakridge Elementary for the next year until the new elementary is ready in January 2009.
Voters last June approved a $35 million bond and a tax increase averaging about $130 a year per household to fund new construction and remodeling, said district spokesman Greg Hudnall.
The new Timpanogos Elementary, which will house about 500 students, will stand three stories high and includes ample green space in a parklike setting. Parking will take the front part of the lot where the old school sat for 69 years, he said.
The district will store steel for the new school on the extra land during construction. Because steel prices are rising fast, district officials want to begin purchasing the steel soon, Hudnall said.
Naylor Wentworth Lund Architects is designing the building.
Provo School District has been remodeling Oakridge in preparation for the move. Students will share the lunchroom and possibly other facilities with Wasatch Elementary, Hudnall said.
E-mail: rodger@desnews.com