PROVO, Utah - The cougars will soon be taking over the doghouse.
On Tuesday, the Provo City School District announced Brigham Young University will buy the current Provo High School campus for $25 million.
BYU’s offer was one just one of several the school board had looked at over the past several months. The district announced they’d sell the property late last year after starting the process to build a new high school at district-owned property west of Geneva Road.
“The decision to move the school was made in the best interest of students, both now and in the future,” said district spokesman Caleb Price. “And the decision to sell now, and to BYU was made with the district and the school in mind.”
In a prepared statement, school board president Julie Rash said they’re excited to move ahead with the sale. Board members approved the agreement in a unanimous 5-0 vote.
“We are confident that we have reached the best arrangement for the students of Provo High and the community,” Rash said.
BYU spokeswoman Carri Jenkins said the university has no long-term plans for the property, and under the terms of the sale will lease it back to Provo School District at no cost until the new high school is built.
The property is located on University Avenue, just across the street from BYU’s campus.
“Our main focus has been with the students at Provo High School, not disrupting their education,” Jenkins said. “This was a nice opportunity to have this property become available that is so close to the university.”
BYU will conduct geological studies on the property over the next couple of months, after that the sale will be finalized.
The Provo City School District will break ground on the new high school campus April 23.
