Costa undergoes Phase III of Measure BB

By Jamie Kelleher
Staff Writer

Measure BB, the public bond for the renovation of Mira Costa which voters approved in 2008, entered its third and final phase of construction this past December.

Phase III includes the renovation of the drama and band hall, including the addition of a “black box theatre,” a small theatre and a multipurpose room. It also facilitates the creation of another satellite cafe and a central quad.

“A central quad will be an amazing resource for students,” Superintendent Dr. Michael Matthews said. “I believe it will define the campus.”

The completion of Phase II of construction included the modernization of the finger buildings and the renovation of the English and foreign language classrooms and the Learning Center, which cost around $13 million.

Abatement crews inspected buildings for hazardous materials. There have been no reported problems, leaks or contaminations thus far.

“I do not have any concerns about asbestos,” Mira Costa Principal Dr. Ben Dale said. “My main concern is to do a good job of communicating to the staff if they have anxieties about construction and to de-escalate those anxieties.”

Traditional routes to classes have been closed off due to construction in the center of campus. According to numerous students, these new routes cause frequent tardiness to some classes.

“Phases II and III are interior to the campus and do create obstacles for everyone as they try to get around,” Deputy Superintendent Dr. Rick Bagley said. “Construction is messy and noisy at times. Fortunately, that is a temporary state of affairs, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a pain while we are going through it.”

As of now, construction is on schedule with no problems involving cost overruns or delays.

“We have had some transition classrooms for our musical groups that are less than ideal,” Matthews said. “However, we have encountered no problems involving cost overruns or delays. I have been through many construction projects, and the absence of cost overruns and delays is a major victory.”

If Measure BB construction remains on schedule, it will be finished by the 2014-15 school year.

“You can already see how the new quad is going to completely transform the campus,” Matthews said. “Everyone is going to love it.”