Board working with architect to find ways to slash cost of the
$110 million facility
By kelly savio Staff Writer
Gilroy – Despite recent school board approval of design plans for the new Christopher High School, Gilroy Unified School District will continue to make changes in the design in an effort to reduce the school’s projected $110-million price tag, or the district will be forced to borrow an estimated $12 million to pay for the project.
The new high school, which will be located off Day Road and is slated to open in 2009, is expected to cost almost three times the original estimated price. But with Gilroy High School currently housing about 2,600 students – though it’s designed for just 1,800 – the district is determined to see the new school built.
“Borrowing is our last resort – if we can’t get the money any other place, we’ll have no choice,” said Jaime Rosso, school board trustee. “We have to get the school built.”
Pat Midtgaard, school board president, said the board is committed to getting Christopher High School built by 2009.
“Borrowing has been done before, and we’ll do it again if absolutely necessary,” she said. “But there are things that are hanging out there that could help us close the gap, such as the potential sale of property. Either way, it’s necessary to get a second high school up in Gilroy.”
Concessions have already been made to accommodate the burgeoning costs, which stem from spikes in land prices and projected construction cost inflation, said Steve Brinkman, assistant superintendent of the district, and more concessions are planned. As the design plan stands, the district will either have to borrow about $12 million to complete the new high school or figure out other ways to pinch pennies and make up the deficit.
“We’re hoping to switch the plans to a wireless data system, which will save us about $650,000,” Brinkman said. “We’ve petitioned to eliminate the detention basin as well, and that would save us another $1.1 million. If we also reduce the square footage in locker rooms, we’ve already save about $2 million. So, we are looking at cutting costs.”
The school district works with the architect firm that designed the project, Bunton Clifford Associates, Inc., through each phase of the design process to make sure all costs reconcile, said Greg Crouch, the firm’s job captain assigned to the Christopher High School project.
“One thing we’ve already done to reduce the cost of materials is change the materials used on the exterior,” Crouch said. “Originally, it was going to be a stone exterior. That got to be too expensive, so the plans now show the exterior as precast concrete with a veneer on it that makes it look like stone. It’s much cheaper to mold, much cheaper to build and it still looks really good.”
Voters have already helped fund the building project by passing Measure I in 2002, and Measure J in 1992. Combined, the measures are funding about 38 percent of the new high school’s costs, more than any other financial contributor.
Christopher High School will be two stories to save on land costs and the cost of pouring foundations, Brinkman said. Though the school will have no football field – the team will use Gilroy High School’s field – it will have two swimming pools, complete with water slides, which are partially funded by the city of Gilroy and are part of a public aquatic center project. A shaded amphitheater will sit in the center of the baseball diamond-shaped school, which administrators hope will be the student hub. Design plans show the school surrounded by playing fields and ample parking. An enormous arching entrance will usher students, faculty and visitors to the new facilities, which also will include a theater and gym.
The school board’s vote to approve design plans was unanimous.
“Anything that could stand in the way of it getting built will get solved,” said trustee David McRae. “They’re on top of it. Everyone wants to see this school built and I think it will come to life as projected and without delays.”
