Kennewick School District’s $45.5 million modernization of Tri-Tech Skills Center is on schedule for completion in July 2026, setting it up to expand popular training programs and add new career pathways. 

Steel beams have been erected for the 66,000-square-foot project on the west side of the career and technical education school’s campus at Metaline Avenue and Kellogg Street, according to a release. The overall project will include infrastructure upgrades to a large part of the school’s main building, built in 1981, as well as reconfiguring instructional spaces to accommodate potential additional pharmacy tech and HVAC/plumbing programs. 

Tri-Tech is operated by the school district but serves juniors and seniors from high schools in Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, Finley, Columbia-Burbank, Kiona-Benton City, North Franklin and Prosser.

“Recent data from a 10-year study shows that skill center preparatory education is very helpful to individuals,” said Paul Randall, Tri-Tech's director, in a statement. “Not only do they graduate high school at a much higher rate, but six years out from high school, certificate and degree attainment is higher, as well as employee earnings.” 

The project is fully state-funded. Chervenell Construction is the contractor for the project.