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CUSD works towards facility enhancements

CARLSBAD— The Carlsbad Unified School District (CUSD) is making progress on future development projects to enhance its schools’ facilities.

The building projects include constructing a performing arts center at Sage Creek High School, remodeling the administration building at Carlsbad High School, modernizing the Cultural Arts Center, replacing the exercise facility at Valley Middle School, updating a multi-purpose room at Buena Vista Elementary School, and other smaller facility improvements, according to William Morrison, a senior project manager for Gafcon.

“Some of our schools are older and are continuing to age,” said CUSD superintendent Suzette Lovely.

The CUSD Board approved almost $175,000 to go toward selected architectural firms to develop designs for the projects at its Feb. 12 meeting.

The designs from the firms will be reviewed at the Board’s March 19 meeting.

The projects, except for the performing arts center, will be paid for with unexpected savings from recent construction projects and matching state funds.

Morrision said these projects are subject to Board and state approval, but will likely be built during summer 2015.

Sage Creek High School’s new performing arts center, which will cost anywhere from $9 million to $12 million, will be covered by remaining Prop P money and state funds, said Lovely.

While architect firms have been selected for all other projects, the district has given $10,000 each to three different firms to create concept designs for the performing arts center, Lovely said.

The board will be able to consider a range of ideas from the designs along with the proposed budgets for each design and ultimately select the firm with the best concept.

“It gives you the chance to get the best work from three different people,” Lovely said.

She added that the Board has expressed an interest in a performing arts center that is not a black box theatre and has a design that matches the existing campus facilities.