By Regan Estes
Staff Writer
Architect John Dale presented finalized designs for Bond BB construction projects on Sept. 15 to the Manhattan Beach Unified School District School Board in order to obtain a permit to begin building on the Mira Costa campus in 2011.
New performing arts and math and science buildings have been scheduled to be completed by October 2014.The construction cannot begin without initially obtaining a building permit from the Department of State Architect Office.
The new math and science building is the main focus of Measure BB because of buildings and technology that have not been updated in over 50 years. The new facility is designed so that teachers and students will have appropriate facilities for a variety of functions, including scientific experiments.
“There’s going to be an observation deck where teachers can accompany their students to do experiments that involve gravity,” architect John Dale said.
Though the main focus of the plan is to improve the outdated facilities on campus, architects want to lessen the effect that the construction will have on the environment. They plan to do this by putting in more trees and plants throughout the entire campus in addition to constructing the new buildings with sustainable materials.
“We are attempting to complement, not compete, with the campus in a hope of sustaining an environmentally friendly math and science building,” Dale said.
While many students are excited about the project, some are upset that they will not be able to benefit from the plan. Current freshmen are the only students who will be at Mira Costa when the new renovations and structures are completed.
“I’m happy that future generations of kids get to enjoy the building, but a small part of me wishes I could see and experience the finished product too,” sophomore Maurice Welch said.
According to administrators, one of the most important aspects of the project is to ensure that all deadlines are consistently met throughout the process.
“The key aspects are making our phase deadlines. Phase one is the math and science building, two is renovating the finger buildings (rooms 40-70), three is the performing arts building,” Principal Ben Dale said.
Dr. Steve Romines, assistant superintendant of administrative services, believes that it is important to keep in mind the reason why the project was proposed in the first place. Creating a better learning environment for students is the top priority.
“The goal of the entire project is to provide the students of our school community with a first class, college-like campus that will be viable for the next 50 years,” said Romines.
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