06/29/20 - Construction abounds at Grossmont schools
Daily Transcript Staff Report
This summer, the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) has more than a dozen construction projects planned, underway, or just completed with a combined value of $106 million.
As part of GUHSD's construction bond program, funded by Proposition U, Measure BB and state Proposition 39, campuses throughout the district have undergone aggressive modernization and upgrade activities, resulting in:
- Outfitting dozens of classroom buildings and other facilities with high-efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units
- Installation and retrofit of high-efficiency lighting throughout the district
- Demolition of six outdated buildings to make way for new, state-of-the-art classroom buildings, event centers, and student support services facilities
- Installation of solar carports at eight campuses
The projects also include extensive paving and roofing projects, and energy efficiency measures.
Grossmont High School is getting a new main theatre and its own "black box" theater as part of a new event center. Interior finishes are currently under way. Completion of that $23 million project is slated for September.
El Cajon Valley High School's new event center and new student service facility with food service is largely complete with some minor site work yet to be completed. That $19 million project also included the replacement of 65-year-old buildings with new brick structures.
Monte Vista High School also is finishing a new event center and student services building that will cost about $13 million. That project is slated for completion in mid-July. The school will get new scoreboards as well.
Mt. Miguel High School is planning a new $9 million physical education and locker room facility. The plans are currently awaiting approval by the Division of the State Architect.
The design for Granite Hills High School's new "black box" theater and associated Building 160 modernization was recently approved and is now in the bidding phase. The modernization of Building 160 is to include classrooms, and practice space for the choral, band and drama programs. That project cost has been estimated at $8 million. The contract is expected to be awarded in August.
Two jobs that have been completed at Santana High School include a $6 million modernization of the Health Occupation Center along with new classrooms; and $4 million for upgrades to the administration building and a student support building.
El Capitan High School is completing $8 million in major modernizations for Building 300 and 400 to create a new home for its Student Support Services operations, and for new classrooms.
Valhalla High School is just beginning a $7 million modernization of its PE facility, which includes locker rooms, athletic facilities, weight room, wrestling, dance classrooms, and new HVAC.
A $4 million job to modernize the gymnasium at Helix High School has been completed.
All of the campuses needing new roofing repairs have recently gotten or are getting a total of $4 million for this work. This includes more than 300,000 square feet of new roofing at Steele Canyon and West Hills High School alone.
The work also will include another $1 million for new pavement and striping throughout the Grossmont District.
Measure BB is a $128 million general obligation bond approved by East County voters in 2016 to upgrade GUHSD high school facilities.
Proposition U is a $417 million general obligation bond passed back in November 2008. The program substantially completes the modernization of all district schools, providing classrooms and equipment for its educational programs. Read More>
