STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

The pandemic caused some delays.

But, after four years, Wood River High School’s Residential Construction Academy is set to host an open house for a newly constructed residence that students built.

The Academy is inviting the public to celebrate the new house at 2761 Winterhaven Drive in Hailey from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 23.

More than 60 Wood River High School students worked on the home at some point over the last four years taking it from the ground up to turn key.

The project started with a design created by WRHS Design and Technology teacher Kevin Lupton and his architecture students. They presented their plans to the City of Hailey to get the necessary permits.

This is the third home the Residential Construction Academy has completed.

Students at Carey High School have also taken part in the Residential Construction Academy program, completing six homes since 2000 under the direction of Greg Carlson.

The opportunity is made available to students, thanks to a partnership of the Blaine County School District, the Building Contractors Association, Sue Woodyard, construction trade professionals, the Blaine County Education Foundation and community members.

Woodyard, who has spearheaded some of the fundraising with an annual golf tournament, says the class is a wonderful opportunity for students who are non-traditional leaders and who wish to acquire skills that go into building a house, such as electrical, finish, carpentry, framing, plumbing, tiling, roofing and exterior siding.

Students learn about the latest construction methods from rough framing to cabinetmaking and intricate woodworking. They work on the project during the school year.

Woodyard said the house, student-built with instructor supervision, is an amazing accomplishment.

“The finished house took longer because Covid took two years out of the educational program,” she said. “The students can take three years of Residential Construction then go directly into the workforce or on to higher education or apprenticeships.  Some students have gone into Construction Management programs at Boise State or BYU-Idaho.  It has been an extremely popular and valuable opportunity for so many students who are learning these lifetime skills.”