The Board of Education unanimously voted to approve moving forward with Phase I of the construction of the Don Christopher Sports Complex at Christopher High School, during the Gilroy Unified School District’s regular meeting Thursday night.
Artik Architecture – a San Jose-based company that beat out its competitors with the lowest bid – was chosen as the project’s architectural firm. A construction start or completion date has not yet been determined and is contingent on project management time frames.
Rebecca Wright, GUSD’s assistant superintendent of Business Services speculated on a ballpark time estimate, saying, “If everything goes smoothly, perhaps three months for design, six months for DSA (Division of the State Architect) review and approval, three months for construction bids and award of contract, and nine to 12 months of construction.”
The Phase I work – made possible by a generous $2 million donation from Don Christopher, the benefactor for whom the school is named, includes a new artificial track and field for the high school at 850 Day Road.
Before the vote was taken, trustee Mark Good asked for and quickly received confirmation by GUSD Superintendent Debbie Flores that the entire project would be funded solely by Don Christopher’s donation and not by any other GUSD funds.
The local nonprofit Gilroy Foundation – through which the district will invoice all costs associated with the construction of the new track and field – is managing the $2 million donation.
The seed for the Christopher Sports Complex vision was planted and nurtured by the work and determination of The Christopher Stadium Task Force – a group of six CHS parents which includes the group’s spokesman, Larry Sanford.
Sanford, who spoke at Thursday night’s board meeting, stated that Don Christopher made it clear to the Task Force that he would like to see this project get started “as soon as possible,” and encouraged the board to respect Christopher’s wishes to begin the project without delay.
