New Hurst L.D. Bell High school expected to transform busy Airport Freeway
When L.D. Bell High School first opened in the late 1950s, Hurst was facing rapid growth after World War II.
The city and the high school are still seeing growth in booming North Texas, and construction will start soon on a three-story campus, visible along the heavily traveled Airport Freeway.
The groundbreaking on March 26 paves the way for a campus with more classroom space and student amenities.
“This is going to be transformative for our community,” Principal Randy Belcher said.
Belcher said that when people drive past the campus on the Texas 183 corridor, they see an old building. The new campus, he said, will turn heads and people will “veer off of the road and take a look.”
Students will have classes and other activities in the existing building until the new campus is finished. Deanne Hullender, a spokesperson for the Hurst-Euless-Bedford school district, said construction should take about three years, and students should be in the new building in the fall of 2028. Then, the old building will be demolished, she said.
How did the new campus take shape?
In 2023, voters approved a bond package of almost $1 billion to replace the Hurst-Euless-Bedford school district’s two high schools, L.D. Bell and Trinity in Euless. Other projects include replacing four elementary schools.
Both high schools were outdated and inadequate, officials said.
The new L.D. Bell High School will feature a 3,000-seat gymnasium, a performing arts theater and a large student union.
The classrooms are designed to bring in natural light and the wide hallways will have seating for students to collaborate on projects, Belcher said.
“This community bit off a lot of money, but they are going to get something truly special,” Belcher said.
Lynda Lively, who has taught at Bell for 46 years, said the new campus will bring a welcome change to the community. She also serves on the legacy committee, which is working to make sure the high school’s history is incorporated in to the new building.
Some of the items that will be preserved include a large stained glass window featuring the school’s Blue Raiders mascot and photos of senior classes, she said.
Another important feature is a trophy hall that showcases athletic and academic accomplishments.
L.D. Bell High School was named after Lawrence Dale Bell, who founded Bell Helicopter Textron.
The original site for the high school was on Pipeline Road. The school moved to its current location on Brown Trail in 1965.
“I’m excited about it,” Lively said. “I think it’s time. Over the years, we’ve had several remodels and updates. It will be great to start with everything new.”