West Sound Tech Renovation Advances, Awaits Further State Funding

The transformation of West Sound Technical Skills Center in Bremerton is visibly underway, with the first phase of a multi-year renovation project progressing steadily. Onlookers can see the 125-foot yellow crane carefully maneuvering steel beams to construct a new, two-story, 50,000-square-foot building on the southeast corner of the campus. This ambitious effort is on track for completion by September 2025, just in time for the 2025-26 school year.

Andersen Construction and Bassetti Architects are spearheading the project, working diligently to meet the tight timeline despite the challenges of winter weather. "They're out there four days a week, 10 hours a day," shared Ryan Nickels, director of West Sound Tech. The center’s commitment to providing advanced career and technical education for students aged 16-21 remains strong, even as construction slightly limits capacity. Currently, 535 students from 10 school districts across Kitsap, Jefferson, Mason, and Pierce counties are enrolled, just below the center’s pre-construction capacity of 600 students.

The center’s commitment to providing advanced career and technical education for students aged 16-21 remains strong, even as construction slightly limits capacity. Currently, 535 students from 10 school districts across Kitsap, Jefferson, Mason, and Pierce counties are enrolled, just below the center’s pre-construction capacity of 600 students.

Funding in Focus for Phase Two

The current construction marks just the beginning of West Sound Tech’s modernization plan. A second phase is slated for 2025-27, but its realization hinges on additional funding from the Washington State Legislature’s biennial 2025-27 capital budget. The center is requesting $54 million to support the renovation and modernization of its nearly 50-year-old northeast campus building.

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