Record enrollment means more construction at BYU-Idaho

Brigham Young University Idaho students who’ve enjoyed a quieter campus should get used to the sounds of jackhammers, dump trucks and of course, that well-known backup beeping noise. That’s because the university is seeing its student body grow as potential students who left for LDS missions are coming back.

“It is a record in terms of its our largest enrollment to date,” said Marc Stevens, a spokesman for the university. “But its really only about a 1,000 more students than this time a year ago.”

Even though the university is well prepared for the 1,000-student increase, Stevens said it’s looking at the long term as they do plan to keep growing.

“There will be continued growth, yes. There will be more missionaries returning home so we’ll still experience some impact from the missionary age change, and the university will continue to try to serve more students. That’s part of our charge,” said Stevens.

Rexburg city leaders are also looking at student numbers. They said they work closely with the university as they plan future infrastructure projects years in advance.

“We have to be ahead of the game,” says Mayor Richard Woodland. “I mean, it’s like running a supermarket. If you don’t have the stuff, you can’t sell it. If we can’t heat the apartment or take care of the (toilet) flushes.”

Woodland said the city is currently working on a water system study to help the city plan for future changes as water demands grow.