January 2024 - Tim Evancich - Operations Director
WV2 Area B: Transforming Challenges into Progress
Exciting progress is underway at the WV2 Fitness Center & Science Lab project, which is expected to be completed in August 2024. The site is abuzz with activity, from clearing old structures and making way for new foundations. Cleaning up old steel and evicting the pigeons who were squatting on the suspended project were the first steps, followed by removing the first-floor concrete to reroute some of the underground 
Hmm, it reminds me of a favorite poem I know.
D1 & WV1 Gym Floor Replacements: Exceeding Expectations
The newly installed gym floors at D1 and WV1 have surpassed our highest hopes. They're not just surfaces for sports and activities; they're canvases where students will create memories. We're thrilled to offer our students and staff these state-of-the-art facilities, enhancing their experience at our schools.
ELC Expansion: Navigating Challenges with Resilience
The recent events at the Early Learning Center (ELC) were a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of operations. The flooding on September 16th, 2023, was an unforeseen challenge that threatened to derail our daycare buildout. But in the face of adversity, our community showed remarkable resilience.
The flood, caused by a burst underground water main, resulted in significant damage, reminiscent of the 2011 Draper 1 flood. However, the swift response from our team turned a potential disaster into a story of triumph. Within days, the ELC was not just restored but transformed. Innovative solutions like using industrial fans and desiccant machines turned the ELC into a 'space station' of learning, much to the delight of our students.
The restoration process was a testament to the commitment and flexibility of our staff and students. Their ability to adapt and maintain a positive spirit was incredible. The daycare has since moved to its beautifully completed new space, with other sections of the ELC scheduled for completion by winter break.
This journey wouldn't have been possible without the exceptional collaboration of several partners, including Paul Davis Company, Chubby Construction, Diamond Bright, Julie & Josh Kiser, Wall2Wall Flooring, the Draper City Fire Marshal, Paul Schouten & PR Electric, and many more who played a crucial role in our recovery efforts.
Thank you to our many partners!
A Community That Builds Together
As we reflect on these developments, it's clear that our strength lies in our community – a group of individuals dedicated to overcoming challenges and achieving excellence. Our progress in projects like the WV2 Fitness Center & Science Lab and the swift recovery from the ELC flood are not just operational updates but stories of collective resilience and unwavering commitment.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been a part of this journey. Your tireless effort, innovative spirit, and steadfast dedication are the pillars that support and drive our mission forward. Together, we are building facilities and nurturing environments where our students and staff can thrive. Thank you for being part of this remarkable journey.
March 2023 - Tim Evancich - Operations Director
We are thrilled to share the news that we have chosen a new contractor to complete Area B at our West Valley 2 campus! This long-awaited project was initially scheduled for completion in 2020, but unforeseen circumstances involving the previous contractor defaulting on our project left this portion of our school unfinished. As we put the past behind us, it's time to embark on a fresh chapter.
Our new contractor will begin assessing the Area B project in April, with construction slated to commence in late summer 2023.
As many of you may remember, Area A, completed in 2020, featured
an expanded first-floor cafeteria, seven additional classrooms on the second floor, and a conference room.
The Area B project will finalize the west wing of our West Valley 2 campus, incorporating a second-floor bridge connecting Area B to the main classroom hall near the Drama and Dance departments. The new space will feature two state-of-the-art science labs upstairs and a fitness center on the ground floor with access to/from the large gym.
We eagerly anticipate the start of this long-awaited project and look forward to celebrating its completion, anticipated late this year.
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Administration, Operations, and Finance teams for their unwavering dedication to completing this project. We also want to thank our students and families for their patience during the construction process. We are so excited to bring these new spaces and opportunities to our students and staff.
June 2022 - Tim Evancich - Operations Director
I'm hopeful you are reading this with warm sand between your toes, a nice breeze in your hair, and your favorite refreshing beverage in hand.
I thought you might be interested in the MANY special facilities projects we are excitedly working on while you're away. "Special" projects are those that will improve the learning environment and overall feel and function of our schools but are disruptive enough that they must be completed when school is out.
This year's list is especially exciting, as you will see below, but it's also unusually challenging because of the material and labor shortages in the construction industry. While our goal is to get all the projects below completed by the start of the new school year, a few of them will undoubtedly continue a bit into the new year. For those projects, we will plan, manage, and communicate how we will minimize the project's impact on the school until it is completed.
Here are some projects you can look forward to upon your return.
- Replaced PLAYGROUND TURF at Draper 2, Salem & West Valley 2.
- Repaired and refreshed PARKING LOTS at Draper 1, 2, 3, and Salem.
- New CARPET at Draper 2and West Valley 2.
- New VENTILATION SYSTEM in the teaching kitchen at Draper 3, along with new shelving.
- New APA PRINT SHOP next to the ELC in Draper.
- New STAFF DAYCARE with a separate playground at West Valley 1.
- Upgrades to our APA COMMERCIAL KITCHEN to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
- Repairing PLUMBING drains and ELEVATOR FLOODING at D3.
- Upgrading all HVAC units at D1 to improve efficiency, comfort, and air quality.
- SECURITY upgrades at all campuses.
- Add PROJECTOR SCREEN to the gym in Salem.
- Replaced black tile playground fall zone with PLAYGROUND TURF at Salem.
- New STEEL BUILDING for procurement and storage at WV1.
- Replaced GYM LIGHTING with new LEDs at WV2 small gym.
- Add ELECTRICAL POWER for productions to the ceiling of WV2 small gym.
- Complete ACCORDIAN DOOR installs at Draper 2.
- Upgrade damaged FENCING at WV2.
- Add WALK-IN FRIDGE to WV2 kitchen.
Finally, we've reached a point where we can begin to move forward with the WV2 FITNESS CENTER and SCIENCE LABS and the Draper 3 AUDITORIUM. We are very excited to get moving on these projects again.
As with every summer, there are too many projects to list and routine maintenance tasks that must be completed. We are grateful for the fantastic Operations team at American Prep and the incredible partnership of our IT, Executive team, and Governing Board, who support this work.
It's going to be a jam-packed summer, and we are excited for you to see what we've done when you return.
See you in August.