Those associated with Manteca High will have a chance to leave their mark on a centerpiece of the new construction.
They can sign their names to the steel beam that will soon be attached to the new gymnasium structure located in the Garfield Avenue parking lot today from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“This is open to anyone in the community – neighbors, business people, any alumni, students, teachers and staff,” Principal Frank Gonzales said,
The first of the two-day beam-signing special event took place Thursday with dozens placing their names on the girder.
Gonzales credited Manteca Unified Director of Maintenance & Operations Aaron Bowers and construction technician Carl Dumlao for arranging of the beam-signing session. He added the new gym – part of the first phase of the $42 million modernization project to the century-old campus – is currently on target to be ready for the 2022-2023 school year.
Until then, Winter Gym, the smallest main gym in the district, will continue to serve as Home of the Buffaloes. The new gym will seat 2,250 — three times the capacity of the Winter Gym that will receive a partial facelift
Among those signing their names on beam were Zackery Roman, Katrina Fournier and Peyton Farias. All three are freshmen and will be among the first class in the remodeled campus consisting of the 10-classroom building on South Garfield Avenue and Mikesell Avenue . Also included will be a plaza featuring a student drop-off lane along with a new swimming pppol
“I’m looking forward to seeing the opening of the gym,” said Roman.
CT Brayton & Sons Inc. is spearheading the modernization project with safety upgrades made possible by Measure G $159 million bond funds, developer fees, and residual redevelopment agency money.
Part of the $260 million in bonds voters approved in passing Measure A last year will be directed to whittling down a list of other needs at Manteca High. The district’s goal is to identify work that they can do and to get it started while construction is still underway on the current phase of work in a bid to secure the best possible pricing.
The last round of Measure G projects from the less than $40 million left will get underway later this year at other campuses. The district meanwhile will be doing prioritization of Measure A projects.
If the district opts to knock off all of the identified deficiencies that are left after Measure G bond projects now underway are completed at Manteca High and East Union, the work will consume 43 percent of the $260 million in bonds approved in the Nov. 3 election.
That’s because after Measure G bond proceeds committed are exhausted another $62 million is needed to bring all Manteca High classrooms and infrastructure up to grade due to wear and tear and functionality. East Union has $49 million worth of upgrades needed for other aging buildings on the campus that includes 25 portables, gym issues, and “bone” issues behind the walls that you can’t see.
There are $302.4 million in identified facility needs defined by age and conditions at the 21 campuses in Manteca, $69.6 million at the six campuses in Weston Ranch, $31.1 million at the four Lathrop campuses and $6.3 million at French Camp School.
