Gilroy
– High school students are not the only ones taking notice of
the new student center on campus. Architects and school
administrators gave it an award of merit at a conference Feb.
28.
Gilroy – High school students are not the only ones taking notice of the new student center on campus. Architects and school administrators gave it an award of merit at a conference Feb. 28.
During the award ceremony, a three-minute film of the district facility was shown and a team of district representatives accepted the honor.
“It’s recognition that the school did something that was recognizable in the state that was not only architecturally impressive, but impressive in its use,” said Steve Brinkman, assistant superintendent of business services and a member of the district team.
Other team members at the Sacramento conference – hosted by the Coalition for Adequate Student Housing and the American Institute of Architects, California Council – include Rob Mendiola, facilities manager for the district, and Peter Kasavan, president for Kasavan Architects, which helped design the facility.
The student center, which features soaring ceiling beams and two large glass faces angled towards the inner-campus, was unveiled during the summer of 2006 at a cost of $10.7 million.
“It’s worth every penny,” Brinkman said. The value of the facility is more than just revitalizing the appearance of a school that is more than 30 years old, it is adding to the resources of the community, he said.
As a result, the student center has become a meeting ground for various community and city organizations – including the district and city council, which holds its quarterly talks there – in addition to school groups.
The use is a sign of the community’s satisfaction with the new building, and the district is pleased with that, Brinkman said.
“Our belief is that it should be used at every chance it can get,” he added.
“This is a building that is going to stand the test of time and will continue to be fully utilized,” he said. “It’s a source of pride – no question about it.”
