La Jolla High School ramps up stadium construction

Upgrades include new synthetic turf field, resurfaced running track and new bleachers

School is out and work on La Jolla High School’s new athletic facilities is moving ahead full-steam. The approximately $12 million construction project includes upgrades to the school’s athletic stadium, including replacement of its synthetic turf field, resurfacing of the running track and construction of new stadium bleachers, a concessions building, weight room, boys’ locker room, stadium restrooms, additional storage space and accessibility improvements.

Demolition and construction at the site may generate noise between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Impacts from demolition of the existing facilities, expected to continue through the end of August, may also include dust, traffic and possible weekend construction. The work will be separated from the remainder of the campus and adjacent properties by screened fences, San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) officials said. The new facilities should be complete by fall 2016.

Asked by a La Jolla Light reader why the track requires resurfacing, SDUSD communications supervisor Cynthia Reed-Porter replied, “Even though precautions are taken to protect the existing track during construction, it’s anticipated that track will need to be resurfaced after all the construction activity associated with the stadium project.” She said resurfacing will extend the life of the track by another six to eight years at a cost of $169,863.

The school will concurrently spend between $200,000 and $1 million to repair its emergency communications system.