Wasatch County families will get their first look inside the $160 million Deer Creek High School at a grand opening event on Wednesday, July 29, at 5 p.m.
The event features a ribbon-cutting ceremony and self-guided tours of the building, according to KPCW's Local News Hour, which aired a segment with Principal Justin Kelly on Thursday, July 23.
Deer Creek is the Wasatch County School District's first new high school in more than 100 years. It sits along state Route 113, near 1000 West, just west of Heber City. Construction began with a groundbreaking on May 23, 2023.
The school will draw from Wasatch High School's current enrollment of more than 2,700 students. Superintendent Garrick Peterson told the Park Record in March that the district projects approximately 1,350 students at Wasatch High and 1,250 at Deer Creek for the 2026-27 school year. Students choose which school to attend; teachers are assigned by the district.
The July 29 grand opening is a community preview. The first day of classes for Deer Creek students is in August.
What's inside
The building's design evokes a train station, with high ceilings, exposed metal supports and large windows nodding to the Heber Valley Railroad nearby. School board member Tyler Bluth, describing the decision to lean into the railroad aesthetic at a December 2024 board session, said: "We've said it from the start: we've built a $160 million train station. We have to honor that some."
The athletics building includes a main and auxiliary gym, dance studio, weight room, indoor running track, concession stands and a press room. Glass display cases at the entrance stand ready for future state championship trophies. Kelly ordered extra jerseys for each sport so inaugural team members can sign and hang them, he told KPCW in April.
Deer Creek also has a larger veterinary science room than Wasatch High, with pens for animals and space for hands-on research. Wasatch High agriculture teacher Matthew Zierenberg told the Park Record on July 21 that the agriculture program, which carries a constant waitlist, will expand to Deer Creek when it opens.
An on-site childcare space will be available to district teachers at a reduced rate. Kelly said in April that the perk has helped recruit staff. Students can earn college credit through early childhood development classes by helping in the daycare, which will serve infants, toddlers and pre-kindergarteners.
Building a school identity
The Deer Creek Riverhawks will compete in the 4A division alongside the Wasatch High Wasps. School colors are navy blue, silver and white.
The name itself took a winding path. The board originally chose "Deer Creek" in 2023, switched to "Iron Horse" in December 2024, then reversed course after more than 700 residents signed a petition. A community re-vote in early 2025 settled on Deer Creek Riverhawks.
Kelly told KPCW in April that students will name the main gymnasium and write the school's fight song. A tiled Riverhawk mascot greets visitors in the common area at the entrance, and a nesting pole stands to the north of the main building.
The grand opening begins at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, at Deer Creek High School on state Route 113 in Heber City.
