Nearly 50 students from across Canyons School District got a front-row look at a cost-cutting construction technique that’s helping to bring the future Canyons Innovation Center to life.

At the Innovation Center’s new Trades Building, crews from Hughes Construction performed a wall “tilt-up,” lifting enormous concrete panels into place by crane after being cast onsite. Students pursuing careers in the skilled trades took part in a Q&A with Hughes professionals to learn about the precision engineering, materials, safety planning, and logistics behind the process.

Tilt-up construction is a fast-tracked building method that helps reduce construction time and labor demands, offering students a real-world look at modern construction in action. “What this opportunity does is create relevance for the students,” said Sam Soter, business development specialist for the Innovation Center. “So it’s not just about learning in the classroom. It’s about having a profession-based learning experience.”

Once the walls — sandwich panels that provide insulation, the largest weighing 118,000 pounds and measuring 34 feet in height — are lifted by a massive crane, they are connected with steel welding. 

“It’s crazy to see the amount of work and effort that goes into building this,” remarked a student observing the action, which was captured live by reporters at FOX13.

Bethany Stevenson, an 11th grader at Hillcrest High who aspires to be an architect, told the TV news crew the experience gave her “a different perspective on construction.”

That’s a fitting reaction, considering the Innovation Center itself is a fresh take on school. “It’s way different,” said Brighton High’s Andrew Shupe. “It’s very hands-on learning.”

Scheduled to open in 2027, the Innovation Center is being developed at the former eBay regional headquarters in Draper and will provide high school students with the training, industry certifications, and college credit they need for immediate entry to such high-demand careers as manufacturing, broadcasting, nursing, and medical assisting.

ts throughout Canyons and the Salt Lake Valley can take classes at the center while remaining enrolled at their home high schools.

The purchase and retrofitting of the campus — including construction of the Trades Building — is being funded primarily through a $17.2 million state grant and proceeds from the sale of surplus District property.