Summer break was a busy time for building and maintenance crews across Spokane Public Schools. While students were away, work moved forward on everything from playgrounds and sidewalks to some of the first major projects funded through the Together Spokane bond initiative approved by voters last fall.
The Adams Elementary reconstruction made one of the most visible leaps forward. Students relocated in January, demolition began in February and construction of the new school started this spring. The new Adams is on track to welcome students back for the start of the 2027-28 school year.
At Shadle Park and Rogers high schools, Phase 1 of the citywide all-weather fields project also moved quickly. The first phase includes Shadle Park’s football/soccer, baseball, and softball infields and Rogers’ baseball and softball infields. Construction began in June and is continuing into fall. Shadle Park’s new rectangular field is already complete, baseball work is expected to finish by the end of October, and softball work will start by mid-September.
This is SPS’s first use of Progressive Design-Build, which allowed construction and material procurement to begin while design work was still underway rather than waiting for the full design process to finish.
At North Central High School, design and contractor-selection work began this spring for the broader modernization project. North Central’s theater also saw upgrades, which is part of the plan to improve the district’s five comprehensive high school auditoriums for stronger performing arts spaces with better community access.
Design work is advancing on two major joint projects. Planning began in early 2026 on the Madison Elementary and Franklin Park Recreation Center, with Progressive Design-Build work moving forward during the spring and summer and construction anticipated for this coming spring.
The Merkel Sports Complex expansion also entered detailed design this spring. The project will add multiple lighted rectangular fields along with parking, restrooms and support facilities. Substantial design work is expected to wrap up late this year, with construction scheduled to begin in spring 2027.
Annual improvements across SPS
Alongside these larger projects, Annual School Improvements take place every year at facilities across the district. These smaller bond-funded projects are usually $50,000 or more, focusing on getting long-term value from our buildings and keeping schools safe and functional for years to come.
Examples from this summer include:
Play and site improvements: new or updated play areas at Audubon, Cooper and Scott; sidewalk work at Grant, Lincoln Heights and Scott; and asphalt repairs at Willard.
Building and interior work: Phase 1 exterior painting, washing and repairs at Libby Center; patching and painting all classrooms at Cooper, Garfield, Grant, Scott and Whitman; reconditioned gym floors at Rogers and Shadle Park; and CTE kitchen work at Shadle Park High School.
Arts and building systems: auditorium lighting and rigging improvements at Ferris, an intercom upgrade at Garfield and auditorium sound system improvements at North Central.
These examples are not an exhaustive list. We encourage you to visit Together Spokane to explore individual projects, follow the ones that matter most to you and receive updates as work progresses.