Groundbreaking celebrates start of new Stillwater High School

Educators and community leaders broke ground on Tuesday afternoon at the site of the new Stillwater High School, a key feature of Stillwater Public Schools’ $195 million bond issue approved by voters in 2023. The ceremony took place at the construction site, just north of the current campus, 1224 N. Husband.

Construction is set to begin this summer with completion anticipated in summer 2026. Phase 1 of the demo portion of the project is done. Bids are in this month for approximately $63 million, which is $3 million under the original budget, reported construction managers at Willowbrook, the firm managing this project.

“This is an important step in the progress toward building the amazing facility that our Pioneers deserve,” said SPS Supt. Uwe Gordon. “Throughout planning for this project, I’ve been reminded often of the history this place holds. So many in our community have fond memories of the shopping center that long stood here. When I look around this site today, I can sense the thousands of futures that will be shaped here and the countless fond memories our students will have of this place.”

The new 153,000-square-foot building will sit on land occupied previously by Cimarron Plaza Shopping Center. The new two-story facility will feature an array of instructional spaces, including classrooms, SPED spaces, science labs, visual arts presentation rooms, a drama “black box” room, choir room, family and consumer sciences spaces and media center.  Besides learning spaces, the facility also will feature a wellness area, cafeteria, gymnasium, locker rooms, administrative offices an ICC-500-level storm shelter, and a digital marquee.

Design for this project comes from 505 Architects of Tulsa. This team has been involved over multiple SPS bonds and capitalized on their long relationships with the community and district. 

“In the SPS long-term plan, this new high school is a critical piece of the whole,” said Brian Thomas at 505 Architects. Each bond-funded building in the series leading up to the current bond put SPS in the proper position to implement the framework for their grade reconfiguration. This intentional road map followed in previous bonds allowed the district to get to this huge pinnacle – a brand-new high school for the community of Stillwater.  Now SPS is well prepared for the future.”

Willowbrook Project Manager Shawn Vick is a Stillwater alumnus. “As a graduate of Stillwater High School, I look forward to giving back to the community that has done so much for much for me by serving in this capacity” Vick said. “I’m excited for the past, current and future students and staff who will get to enjoy this facility, some of them being my own family members. I believe this project will exemplify the district’s dedication to being one of the best educational programs in the state and its determination to continue to do so in the future.”

School officials, architects, builders and community leaders gathered on Tuesday afternoon to break ground on the long-awaited Stillwater High School, a key component of the 2022 SPS Bond Issue. From left are Willowbrook Project Manager Shawn Vick, Superintendent Trevor Yarbrough, Project Manager Brion Crawford, VP of Operations Angelo Bradford, SPS Supt. Uwe Gordon, SHS Principal Walter Howell, 505 Architect Brian Thomas, Mary Thomas, Jeff Thomas, SPS Asst. Supt. for Operations Bo Gamble, Asst. Supt. for Educational Services Janet Vinson, Chief Human Resources Officer Trent Swanson, and Chief Financial Officer Mike Arnold. Other images with many more SPS stakeholders are available on Facebook @willowbrookbuild.