The state-imposed cease-and-desist order on new construction in
Hollister has not hindered San Benito High School from breaking
ground on its long-awaited freshman campus.
The state-imposed cease-and-desist order on new construction in Hollister has not hindered San Benito High School from breaking ground on its long-awaited freshman campus.
Initial construction of the first phase of the new 25-acre campus for SBHS’s large freshman class recently began with compacting of the ground off Nash Road south of the main campus and the creation of six foundation pads.
The first phase of the estimated $21.5 million project will cost about $7.3 million and will include new classrooms, a library media center, administrative offices and possibly a gym.
Since the cease-and-desist order bans new connections to the city’s sewage system until a new system is built – projected for October 2005 – the new campus will not be connected to the sewage system until the ban is lifted or the state approves a connection.
“We’re allowing them to make provisions for connection to the wastewater system so they can go ahead with improvements,” City Manager George Lewis said.
During the first phase of construction new sewage lines and storm drains from the city and the school will be installed with a 3-foot gap that will allow the school to connect quickly after the moratorium is lifted. Workers are going underground to install gas, sewer and electrical lines throughout the campus.
“We don’t want to violate anything the water board has required,” said Steve Delay, SBHS director of finance and operations. “Once everything is cleared up and the moratorium is off, we’ll connect. This will allow us to build the project and not violate any discharge requirements.”
Lewis said once the first phase of construction is complete and the school is ready to move freshmen into the new classrooms, the city could petition the state to connect the campus to the city sewer system if the school documents that the connection would not increase the wastewater flow.
“What we’ve talked about is they need to document that this new campus will not increase sewage usage,” Lewis said. “They would have the same number of students whether they built it or not. They are not servicing another area.”
Lewis also said the new campus would have a new water conservation system that could actually decrease the flow to the wastewater treatment plant.
The first phase of the new campus calls for 28 new classrooms. The second phase involves 22 classrooms and the third another 14 classrooms for an estimated 1,000 students.
Classrooms would be constructed first with less-essential buildings second and the library, multi-purpose room and gymnasium with showers and lockers last.
In the second or third phases the school district wants to create new soccer, softball and baseball fields. District officials are working out details with the city so the fields can be for student use as well as public use, Delay said.
“So far, things are progressing well. We’re happy with the contracted work,” he said.
The state estimated that the school’s total enrollment will increase by about 850 students in the next five years. SBHS’s current enrollment is 2,609 students, about the same as last year.
