Big changes are coming to Las Vegas Academy of the Arts and it involves saying goodbye to a familiar spot: the school field. This field has been a favorite hangout for students, a place for sports, and a spot for events. But now, it’s making way for something new—a parking garage.

At the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, LVA owned a big, spacious field that reached from the gymnasium and Knapp building all the way across to 7th street. A couple months in, the field shut down and was gated off, beginning the project of a parking lot for students on campus. 

For a while now, finding parking at the academy has been tough. With more students and staff incoming every year, there just isn’t enough space. The school decided to turn the field into a parking garage. It’s a solution to the problem, but it’s also a bit sad for those who love the field.

Students, teachers, and even former students have lots of memories tied to that field. From games to hanging out during breaks, it holds a special spot in their hearts. Hearing it’ll be gone brings up lots of feelings.

Despite the big change from a field to no field, the progress of the construction has been relatively slow. There has been no visual progress to the building itself so far. There have been operational construction machines clearing dirt and such everyday for months, and is dated to be finished within several months to a year.

But the change is happening for a reason. The school needs more parking, and this garage will help. It’ll make things easier and safer for everyone. 

This garage is the start of many projects that will come in the near future. In November 2023, the Clark County School District invested nearly $4 million in approximately one acre of land in downtown Las Vegas to establish a construction yard for an upcoming renovation and expansion initiative at the esteemed Las Vegas Academy of the Arts campus.

As per the approved purchase and sale agreement by the School Board last week, the district is allocating $3,930,000 to procure five parcels situated on South Ninth Street, positioned between Carson and Bridger avenues. These parcels, totaling 0.92 acres, are located within a residential zone approximately one block away from LVA, situated on Seventh Street off Bridger.

Over the course of nine years, the campus will undergo a series of upgrades including the renovation of the gymnasium, construction of a parking garage capable of accommodating approximately 542 vehicles, establishment of an administrative building, creation of a student union equipped with classrooms and dining areas, expansion of facilities for majors such as dance, theater, and music, and installation of a new central plant to enhance heating and air conditioning systems. Additionally, renovations are planned for Main, Frazier, and the gymnasium.

As construction has started on the parking garage, there’s a mix of feelings at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts. While students are sad to see the field go, they’re also curious about what’s next. Even though things are changing, the spirit of the academy will stay strong. Like any other building, the new parking garage will bring new memories for future students to cherish.