Kraus-Anderson to Build District H.S., Municipal Event Center in North Dakota

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Kraus-Anderson Construction Company will build a new district high school and adjoining, municipal event and recreation center in Watford City, North Dakota, in the fastest-growing county in the nation. The approximate, combined construction cost of the two projects is in excess of $100 million.

Watford City’s population is soaring with the energy boom from the Bakken oil fields in western North Dakota. From March 2013 to February 2014, the McKenzie County School District has grown from 200 to 1,060 K-12 students—doubling the size of the district since 2010. A 2013 census lists the county’s population at 9,314, a 46.5 percent increase since 2010, not including temporary workers.

Both the high school and event center are designed by JLG Architects. Located on Highway 23 east of Watford City, site work is scheduled to begin in July 2014 and construction is expected to be completed in early 2016.

Watford City High School
Following a successful bond referendum, the new high school for the McKenzie County Public School District will be built to serve 800 students in grades 7-12. The high school building project is a joint venture with KA and Grand Forks-based Construction Engineers, Inc.

The three-story, 160,000-square-foot school will include classrooms, cafeteria, commons, kitchen, multimedia center and learning resource center. The school will also feature a gymnasium, two athletic fields, cardio weight room, wrestling ring, theater, shop and band and choral rooms.

The existing 30-year old high school will be repurposed as a middle school.

Watford City Event Center
The $60-million municipal event and recreation center—to be built adjacent to the new high school—is considered critical to retaining families in the community.

The 240,700-square-foot facility will feature a swimming pool, three basketball courts, two-sheet ice arena for hockey and skating, baseball and softball stadiums, convention space and a 3,000-seat venue for concerts and sporting events. It will also include parking lots, conference rooms and administrative offices.