Canyons School District is making strides toward transforming the Draper headquarters of tech giant eBay into an innovative learning center focused on preparing high school students for the high-demands jobs of the future.

Following an Oct. 1 public hearing, the Canyons Board of Education, acting as a Local Building Authority, approved financing for the project using a mix of existing capital funds and revenue from the sale of surplus property and lease-revenue bonds. The goal is to close on the eBay purchase in December, following a 60-day due diligence period.

The District also posted an administrative-level job opening for a Director to oversee the innovation center and steer its launch. Next steps are to involve parents, students, local elected officials, and business leaders in the innovation center’s programming and design.

“We’ve said from the start this center will be a place where students work shoulder to shoulder with industry leaders to solve real-world problems. It’s vital we involve local businesses and our community early in its inception,” said Canyons Superintendent Dr. Rick Robins. “We’ll be empaneling an industry advisory board, hosting a series of focus groups this fall, and surveying families, employees, and students to get input on the center’s instructional model, the courses and industry certifications it will offer, and the naming and branding of the center.”

Dr. Robins said the District is also working with higher education officials to define early-college learning opportunities.

Canyons already has a solid track-record at delivering career-focused learning at the Canyons Technical Education Center (CTEC), which, due to growing demand for its programs, has outgrown its current location. The existing CTEC campus has little room for expansion and the building would cost more to renovate than rebuild.

“The eBay campus, priced at half of what it would cost to build a new facility, came at the right price and the right time for us as we were looking to build upon CTEC’s success,” Dr. Robins said. “It’s also the right place, given that it’s located in the heart of Silicon Slopes and adjacent The Point Innovation District, an emerging tech center and fast-growing service area for Canyons.”

The architectural firm, MHTN Architects is assisting with the due diligence for the purchase of the 36-acre campus and minor renovations to eBay’s 215,000-square-foot facility.

A group of students enrolled in CTEC’s business leadership program will assist with the naming and branding of the center, and Dr. Robins has already begun reaching out to School Community Councils and PTA chapters for input on what learning opportunities they would like to be offered at the new center.

The goal is to open the innovation center in August 2026.

In order to be considered for the Director job, candidates must apply directly with Canyons School District. The job posting can be found on the District’s website.

Anyone with questions or feedback on the center’s development is welcome to email communications@canyonsdistrict.org.