De Anza College physical education complex to undergo $53 million renovation

For the first time in its nearly -year history De Anza College will see major upgrades to its aging physical tuition complex with plans for a million renovation expected to start next month The Foothill-De Anza Population College District Board of Trustees on Monday approved a million contract extension for tBP Architecture Inc the firm that created the original proposal to move forward with planning and design The project will be primarily funded by the state which is covering of the cost The remaining funds will come from the district s capital project reserves and Measure G bond funds The complex consists of six connected buildings which pose challenges relating to seismic safety accessibility hazardous material and code compliance according to the district s proposal to the state The complex has not had major upgrades since it was built in The renovations will cover around square feet of total space including square feet for physical learning square feet for lectures and square feet reserved for offices according to the proposal The project does not include the pool area In addition to addressing safety issues the renovations will upgrade infrastructure to allow for more mechanism use including multi-media innovation for high-flex and hybrid courses and automated equipment such as shooting and serving machines The renovations also will expand instructional space to decrease physical tuition enrollment waitlists and add infrastructure to allow for the installation of crisis lighting lockdown systems notification systems and fire alarm systems Site work will be limited to areas within feet of the buildings with only minor improvements planned for nearby paths and parking The Board of Trustees did not respond to a request for comment about the project The project has been in the works for several years The proposal was originally approved by the board in and received approval from the California Area Colleges Chancellor s Office in However it remained unfunded until a statewide K- teaching bond measure passed in fall which allowed it to move forward The renovation is listed as a priority in the district s five-year Capital Outlay Plan adopted last month From August through December the project gang will hold regular meetings with stakeholders to gather input on instructional requirements according to the firm s draft schedule Preliminary plans and designs are expected to be finalized by the spring of with construction slated to begin in August and wrap up by August