Architect: San Clemente High Needs $61 Mil in Upgrades, Repairs

An older campus with a lot of needs, San Clemente High School needs $61 million in upgrades, according to an architect the Capistrano Unified School District hired.

Of that figure, $15.2 million would go toward replacing half of the school’s portable classrooms. Included in the larger number are new amenities, such as a new performing arts center, pool and science and computer labs.

And another $2.5 million is needed to address routine repairs and maintenance the district has deferred the last several years, such as roof repairs, new paint and the phone systems.

The numbers are included in a report the district commissioned in 2009 to assess all needs at its 55 schools. The report was recently updated for 2013 pricing. The district is facing $822 million worth of needs and only has about $44 million on hand to address them. San Clemente High School presents the most needs of any campus.

The 2013 numbers also include nearly $2.2 million to buy the latest technology for students.

San Clemente High poses many challenges. It is one of six schools found to have possible structural problems that could threaten safety.

In addition, San Clemente has some fire-access issues. Firefighters cannot get to 24,292 square feet of the buildings, the second worst access problem in the district.

Below is an easier-to-read legend for the photo above. New construction, which originally included replacing all the portables, is in peach, remodels in yellow.  

1.    New administration building

2.    Career center remodel

3.    New toilets

4.    Triton Center modernization

5.    Staff lounge remodel

6.    Kitchen expansion

7.    Auto shop remodel

8.    Auto shop remodel

9.    Photo lab remodel

10.  Dance room modernization

11.  Library/media center remodel

12.  New performing arts theater

13.  New two-story building (10 classrooms)

14.  Locker room remodel

15.  Locker room expansion

16.  Gymnasium modernization

17.  Americans with Disabilities Act upgrade

18.  New two-story building (22 classrooms)

19.  New science and computer labs

20.  New pool/bleachers/pool building

21.  New bleachers expansion

22.  New team room

23.  New practice fields

24.  New drainage system

25.  New parking (42 stalls)

26.  New physical education building

27.  Comprehensive modernization

28.  New parking (17 stalls)

29.  Fire truck turnaround

Find out what is needed at nearby schools:

• Bernice Ayer Middle School
• Truman Benedict Elementary
• Concordia Elementary
• Las Palmas Elementary
• Lobo Elementary
• Marblehead Elementary
• Palisades Elementary
• Shorecliffs Middle School
• Vista Del Mar Middle and Elementary schools