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NEPHI — The Utah National Guard recently broke ground on a $26 million Nephi Readiness Center that will serve as an administrative, classroom, training, material storage and operations space for the guard's 1457th Engineer Battalion headquarters and its forward support company.
A groundbreaking event was held Thursday on the site of the future building, located on West Airport Lane, south of Meadow Lane and west of the Nephi Municipal Airport.
"This is essentially a significant upgrade, where we have a building that facilitates the units that are going to be assigned there but it also has the ability to support, potentially, domestic operations response," Command Sgt. Major Richard Thalman, who is the project manager for the center, told KSL.com on Monday.
Essentially, the center will act as a "home base" for approximately 200 soldiers who are assigned to the 1457th Engineer Battalion.
In 2009, the Armory Board acquired the 30 acres in a land trade with Nephi. The military construction planning process and submission started in 2012. In 2019, the Utah Legislature funded 3 miles of utility lines for the site through the state's Division of Facilities Construction and Management.
Architectural Nexus designed the 42,590-square-foot readiness center. Hogan and Associates Construction completed the infrastructure project and was awarded the contract, with completion scheduled for 2023.
Thalman said that this center is an upgrade over the "old main street armories" that were built in the 1950s.
"They were built for smaller formations, smaller equipment, not as much field gear, not as much personal gear or weapon systems, and especially very much smaller vehicles (and) military equipment," he said of the old readiness centers. "We've outgrown those over, you know, 70, 80 years — they're very outdated. They don't meet our physical security needs. They don't meet our technological needs."
The new center will provide more space and better technology for the guard, which is growing in both equipment supply and personnel.
"It'll meet the current demand and need," Thalman said.
He also added that only 12 of the 30 acres acquired will be developed, giving the guard flexibility for future expansion and demands.
"The ability to grow is also there for another 70-plus years," he said.
Along with providing a more contemporary base, Thalman also expressed his excitement surrounding the new center's ability to allow the guard to become more involved in the community of Nephi.
"Our soldiers are all made up of these communities all around the state that serve our state and nation. There are times where we could easily be a mutual support for special events in the community. Sometimes we'll host events with them in our readiness centers," he said.
"It helps keep us in front and with our community partners, not just with the local officials but also with the public," Thalman added. "In turn, that keeps that pride in our country and the great support that we get from our folks here in Utah."
