Wyoming — Following a two-year rebuild process, the district’s sparkling new transportation facility is officially open and operational.
The building at 2181 Prairie Parkway SW replaces the former facility destroyed by fire on the same site in December of 2024.
The new $7.5 million, 13,000-square-foot facility includes a five-bay maintenance garage, offices and a lounge for breaks and training. Along with transportation staff, food service staff is also working out of the building.
“It’s new, it’s clean. It’s brought us all together as a group,” said dispatcher Michelle Kerkstra.
Superintendent Craig Hoekstra, bus drivers, administrators, district Board of Education members, city of Wyoming officials and representatives of construction firm Christman Constructors and architecture firm GMB recently gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the facility’s opening and the culmination of a project.
While the rebuild was necessary due to the fire, the silver lining is the district now has a bigger, more modern space better equipped for maintenance and technology, administrators said.
“It’s always about what’s best for kids,” Hoekstra said. “This isn’t a school building, but it directly and indirectly affects our kids.”
Following the fire, the district operated busing from Wyoming High School. Now in their new digs, drivers said they are happy to have the space.
“We are very grateful to have this beautiful facility and to be the very first people to be using it,” said driver Diane Kallemeyn. “It will be used for many years to come.”
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