Modernization Of Indio High School To Be Completed In Summer ’18

Photo Courtesy of Desert Sands Unified School District

By Mary E. B. Perry

Work on Indio High School, one of the oldest schools in DSUSD, was planned as a multi-phase project of 300,000 square feet, including eight new buildings, new pool facilities, and new baseball and softball fields.

Phase I began in June 2011 with demolition of old buildings following the relocation of classrooms to portable structures on property lent to the district by the city of Indio. Rough grading and updating underground utilities were complete and construction of new buildings began in June 2012. This new construction included the gymnasium, the science classroom building, administration building, and performing arts center. All of the buildings are state-of-the-art education facilities. With the exception of the performing arts center, these buildings were completed in December 2014 with students occupying the buildings after winter break. The performing arts center was opened in June 2015.

Phase 2 of the Indio High School project began in January 2015 and was completed in December 2016. Phase 2 included a new library, food service building, arts building, career technical education building, and a general education classroom building. Phase 3 began in July 2017 and will be completed in early 2018. This phase consists of the reconstruction of the baseball and softball fields. Phase 3 will be the final phase of the overall modernization project at this site.

La Quinta Middle School project is funded with allocations from Measure KK passed in November 2014; This exciting project includes a new campus entry giving the site a renewed appearance. All buildings on this campus will include a complete modernization. All classroom improvements include upgraded technology standards. The new state-of-the-art science building with outdoor learning space gives a new home to the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) program on campus along with support spaces, such as maker spaces, and art classrooms. This project includes an updated library and media center. A new fitness center is incorporated into this project and will give students a space for indoor activities to support the ongoing health and wellness program on campus. The existing administration building will also be renovated and reorganized to support a single point of entry and to provide secured access onto the campus.

This modernization project will be completed in phases and be completed while school activities are in session. The first two phases of the project, including the renovation of the existing administration building, two classroom buildings, and the food services building were completed this past summer. The exterior building components and various site work remains in progress along with the next phase of the project which includes the construction of a new science classroom building and the renovation of another classroom wing. The overall modernization project will be completed in summer of 2018.

 

 

Mary E. B. Perry is the Public Information Officer for the Desert Sands Unified School District. She can be reached at mary.perry@desertsands.us or (760) 771-8502.