Staff Report
The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District is jumping into construction this summer with both feet, and the work will result in a virtual shutdown of the campus while students are out for summer vacation.
Outside groups and community members who traditionally have used buildings and sports facilities for summer programs have been notified, school officials said, and even the SYHS summer school session will be moved off-campus.
“We are excited to start this phase of work. The impacts on the campus this summer will be significant in terms of restricting access, but the improvements will benefit both our students and valley residents and organizations that utilize our facilities for years to come,” said district Superintendent Scott Cory.
The work will be funded through Measure K bonds that voters approved in November 2016. Plans call for more than $6 million of work to be completed this summer, including:
- Replacement of more than 4,000 feet of underground sewer, water, fire alarm and communication lines
- Replacement of the main electrical feed and panels across the campus
- Phase 1 replacement of the fire alarm and communications systems
- Heating and cooling system upgrades
- Roofing replacement of multiple buildings and covered walkways
- Window replacement for multiple buildings.
“I recognize that the closure of the campus will have a major impact on community groups and sports teams that rely on our facilities during the summer, but given both the intermittent and sustained shutdown of safety, electrical and climate-control systems, in addition to extensive underground work resulting in open trenching, considerations for public safety have to override our desire to maintain public access,” Cory added.
Offices in the administration building will remain open this summer. Access updates will be provided to the public via the SYHS website at syvpirates.org.
More work is scheduled for the summer of 2019, possibly resulting in similar restrictions to campus facilities, Cory said.
