When Golden Bear baseball and softball spectators arrived at Steineger Field this spring, they noticed a major addition overlooking the baseball and softball complex: a brand-new press box built with the help of Turner High School students.

What makes the structure especially meaningful is not just the finished product, but the students who put the work in.

The project was completed by students in Turner High School’s Building Trades pathway, giving them the opportunity to apply classroom learning to a highly visible project that will serve the Turner community for years to come.

For students in Building Trades, the press box became much more than a class assignment. It became an opportunity to contribute something lasting to their school and community while gaining hands-on experience in the construction industry.

Building Trades instructor Scott Hughes said the project was a natural fit for the program, which is well-known for building houses in the Turner community. The program has been around for at least fifty years.

“Because we were between projects and had the capacity to take on the framing aspects of the build, it was a great fit for us.”

A Real-World Construction Experience

The Building Trades pathway at Turner High School provides students with opportunities to learn industry skills through hands-on projects. Students begin developing foundational construction knowledge in Carpentry I before advancing into more complex work in Carpentry II.

While students in the program often work on residential construction projects, the press box introduced a completely different type of challenge.

The original press box at Steineger Field had several structural concerns. According to USD 202 Facilities and Grounds Supervisor Chris Crockett, “The floor and walls were compromised and not providing a good solid structure, so safety was a concern. The size was not adequate and it was not climate controlled.”

Before students could begin construction, significant preparation work had to take place. Contractors demolished the original structure, removed surrounding asphalt, poured new footings, installed a concrete slab, and constructed the steel framework that would support the new press box.

While Building Trades students completed much of the construction work, certain phases of the project were handled by contractors due to time constraints and the specialized nature of some of the work. The collaboration also gave students the opportunity to work alongside professionals in different areas of the trades and see firsthand how large construction projects are coordinated from start to finish.

Once the steel structure was complete, Building Trades students began the next phase of the project. Students framed walls, installed roofing and siding, and worked through a variety of commercial-style construction challenges.

Senior Lukas Reynolds said the experience helped expand his construction skillset. “During this project, I learned skills like roofing, siding, and framing.”

Problem Solving Beyond the Classroom

The project also required students to adapt to challenges that professionals in the construction industry regularly face.

Because the structure sits elevated above the bleachers, students had to complete much of the work while operating from scaffolding. In addition, they worked with steel framing that was not always perfectly level or square.

Hughes explained that working with the existing steel structure created some of the biggest obstacles during construction.

“Things were not level or square and we had steel interrupting parts of the structure,” he shared. “We had to get specific details from the engineers on fastening framing members to the steel.”

The press box also gave students experience with commercial construction techniques and materials that are not typically part of residential projects.

“We are going to be adding some new details on our next build, like a vented rain screen, and this gave us a chance to execute it and iron out some of the kinks in the details,” Hughes said.

Crockett said he was especially impressed by how well students adapted to the shift from residential to commercial construction expectations.

“While the students are typically used to dealing with residential building codes, this gave them the experience of needing to lean on commercial code, which was a major shift that they handled with ease.”

Collaboration Across the District

The project also highlighted collaboration between district departments and programs.

Facilities staff worked closely with students and instructors throughout the process, helping coordinate construction phases and ensuring the project aligned with architectural and engineering plans.

Crockett praised both the professionalism and craftsmanship students demonstrated throughout the build.

“The students did a fantastic job following the design provided by the architects and engineers,” he shared. “The finished product they provided is a solid structure yet has nice finishings and is built to last.”

For students, the experience carried a unique sense of pride because the project directly impacts their own school community.

Senior Jaret Smith, who plays varsity baseball at Turner High School, said contributing to a project at Steineger Field made the experience especially meaningful.

“I liked that I got to work on this project because it was for the baseball field, and I play on the varsity team,” he shared. “I can be up to bat and take a good look at the press box and just know that we did that.”

The Building Trades program is designed to help students explore career interests while developing practical, industry-level skills. For some students, experiences like this are helping shape future career plans.

“Taking this class made me more interested in this industry,” Smith said. “I like working hands-on and being outside. I will be studying construction management in college next year.”

Leaving a Lasting Impact

Projects like the Steineger Field press box showcase the value of Real World Learning opportunities in Turner USD 202.

Students were not completing a simulated classroom project — they were helping construct a permanent structure that will be used by athletes, coaches, families, announcers, and community members for years to come.

That sense of ownership and contribution is something Hughes believes students will carry with them long after graduation.

The new press box now stands not only as an improvement to Steineger Field, but also as a visible reminder of what Turner students are capable of building when given the opportunity to learn through real-world experiences.

If you haven’t seen it yet, stop by Steineger to check it out!