An elementary school and middle school in University City are getting major campus upgrades that include a joint-use aquatic center.
The funding for the projects comes from two voter-approved bond measures and a contribution from the city of San Diego.
Construction has now started on Standley Middle School to modernize its campus and build a pool that is also available to the public outside of school hours.
John Lee Evans, San Diego Unified Board President, said the joint-use pools can be used to teach students in the district how to swim.
“No student should graduate from San Diego Unified without knowing how to swim,” Evans said. “We live in Southern California, we live next to the ocean. It's important that students learn how to swim in their P.E. classes and this is going to provide that opportunity.”
Just a few blocks away, Spreckels Elementary School will also begin constructing new buildings on its campus.
Most of the funding comes from Proposition Z, which passed in 2012 and Measure YY, which was approved in 2018.
“The project is largely being funded by the school district,” he said. “About $12 million for the total project. There’s only a small contribution by the city.”
In addition to the pool, the Standley Middle School improvements include an outdoor pavilion and a public use path. Evans said the district is setting a template for aquatic centers at other schools.
“Our bond measures allow for at least building 10 pools connected with the various high schools across the district. And we need partners, in this case we have the city of San Diego,” He said. “Now we have a template for other high schools, other areas of the city where we will be more ready to develop an agreement.”
The project at Spreckels Elementary School includes a new two-story classroom building and a joint-use grass playfield. Once these projects approach completion, the modernization of Standley Middle School will begin.
The multi-phased project is expected to be fully completed by 2024.
