Groundbreaking Ceremony for Southwest Middle’s Modernization Project
This $55-million project is expected to be completed in February 2024 and will encompass more than 183,000 square feet, essentially creating a totally new campus for Southwest Middle.
The new campus will feature a centrally located courtyard. The courtyard will be a spacious, beautiful focal point for the new campus.
The new campus will also have buildings incorporating the school’s colors to preserve its rich history. There will also be a new cafeteria and kitchen.
The majority of the construction will take place on property behind the existing school site. The school’s current buildings will continue to serve students until the project is finished.
Once the modernization is complete, most of the aging structures will be demolished with the exception being the physical education facility, gymnasium, and a science building.
Southwest Middle was founded in 1956 as a junior high school and became a middle school for grades 6-8 in 1992.
The school’s current campus has many older buildings. The newly constructed buildings will be more energy efficient and have advanced safety features.
This project is made possible by impact fees as well as Polk County’s half-cent sales tax, which voters renewed in 2018. The school is located at 2815 Eden Parkway, Lakeland, FL 33803
