District Reports Progress on Construction Projects

^{First published in the July 21 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.}

For Palm Crest Elementary and La Cañada High School, it has been a summer of construction as new buildings and other major renovations are beginning to take shape.
Wendy Sinnette, superintendent of the La Cañada Unified School District, presented a brief update on the projects that are funded by the Measure LCF bond revenue during a recent Governing Board meeting.
It is the end of an era for LCHS with the demolition of the pool — which is part of the south campus renovation project. The new 40-meter pool is being constructed farther south along with a building that will include locker rooms and offices for coaches. Basketball courts and seating areas will be developed in between the two gyms where the old pool was located.
The $12.7-million renovation, which was reported last month to be 55% complete, at the high school will also expand the south parking lot and alter the junior varsity baseball field.
Reparations of the guardrails and balconies of three buildings at the high school are also underway, and Sinnette expects most of that work to be completed before school begins Aug. 15.
Much headway has been made at Palm Crest with the construction of a new two-story building and renovation of existing structures.
Sinnette showed the board pictures of the new modular building and amphitheater-style seating outside of the structure, as well as views of the classrooms that boast a modern design with overhead projectors mounted on the walls in each room and large white boards for the teachers.
Progress on the two-story structure was reported at 75% complete in late June, but that is only part of the modernization project. The district recently decided to postpone the next phase of the project and is in the process of redesigning the parking lot, student drop-off area and fire lane after residents complained about the proposed number of trees that needed to be cut down. LCUSD put its plans on hold and will work with neighbors on finding a solution that would not require the removal of so many trees.
In total, the cost of the Palm Crest modernization is projected to surpass $37 million with rising costs of materials and labor.
“It’s fun to see all the great work that is happening,” Board President Dan Jeffries said after the presentation concluded.