Wenatchee School District is set to begin a major enhancement of Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center (WV Tech) in mid-January, building on the center's strong foundation of career and technical education. The $14.5 million state grant-funded project will upgrade existing program facilities, expand popular programs with new square footage and industry-standard equipment, and create capacity for additional career pathways. Completion is anticipated by December 2026.

The Wenatchee School Board received a construction update Tuesday night from representatives of ALSC, Garco, and Klosh Group, who are leading the design and construction efforts. The update emphasized successful collaboration among the project teams, the school district, and the Wenatchee City Council in streamlining zoning and permitting processes to keep the project on schedule.

The modernization will create industry-standard learning spaces designed to prepare students for high-demand careers. Major features include:

• A dedicated stair tower and smoke training space for fire science, allowing students to practice real-world emergency response scenarios

• A demonstration kitchen for culinary arts programs with professional-grade equipment

• Enhanced cafe, lobby, administrative spaces and secure entry

• Modern classroom spaces with flexible instructional areas for medical occupations 

• New lab spaces to accommodate new programs, including dental assisting

"This project represents a significant investment in our students' futures," said Superintendent Kalahar. "By providing industry-standard training facilities, we're ensuring students in our region graduate with the hands-on skills and real-world experience employers are looking for. This is career-connected learning at its finest."

Construction will be carefully phased to minimize disruption to school operations, allowing programs to continue serving students throughout the project timeline. Designers have been able to customize spaces based on actual program needs after spending time observing classrooms and instruction on-site.

"Being on-site has allowed our design team to truly understand how these spaces will be used," explained project representatives. "We've worked closely with instructors and administrators to ensure the new facilities will support instructional needs.”

WV Tech serves high school students from across the region, offering hands-on training in high-demand career fields including healthcare, construction, automotive technology, culinary arts, fire science, law enforcement, cosmetology, and more. The technical skills center provides students with valuable credentials and work experience while still in high school, creating pathways to immediate employment or post-secondary education.

The modernization project aligns with Wenatchee School District's strategic commitment to building future-ready students through high-quality career and technical education programs. By investing in state-of-the-art facilities, the district is ensuring students have access to the tools, technology, and training environments that mirror professional workplaces.

"When students learn in industry-standard facilities, they're better prepared to enter the workforce with confidence," added Pete Jelsing, Director of WV Tech. "This project will benefit not just our current students, but generations of students to come, as well as the regional economy that depends on skilled workers."

The project has benefited from strong partnerships with state legislators who helped secure the grant funding, city officials who expedited permitting, and construction partners committed to close collaboration with the district and delivering a high-quality facility on time and on budget.

Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-January 2026, with the modernized Wenatchee Valley Tech ready to welcome students in its new spaces by December 2026.

About Wenatchee Valley Tech

Wenatchee Valley Tech is a regional technical skills center serving high school students from Wenatchee School District and partner districts. The center provides career and technical education in multiple high-demand fields, offering students the opportunity to earn industry certifications, college credits, and hands-on experience while completing their high school education.