New 1000-person capacity building will be largest public gathering facility in Malibu.
By Kim Oberhamer
Staff Writer
With 26 miles of coastline, it’s no wonder that Malibu’s scattered residents have never had a centrally located area or building large enough to convene.
But that will change in the beginning of December when Malibu High School’s new gym is due to open as a new venue that will serve as the largest building for community use in Malibu.
“Substantial completion is approved,” said Scott Harral, senior program manager of Jacobs Facilities Inc., which managed the construction. “We are just waiting for the district to purchase bleachers.”
The gym was expected to open in October, but was delayed due to the wait for the approval of the bleachers.
They are estimated to arrive at Malibu High Nov. 19. After a two-week installation period for the bleachers, the gym should be open for use Dec. 6.
“I can’t wait until it opens,” Jeff Gardella, the athletic director at Malibu High School, said. “This is going to be unbelievable for the athletes that get to play in it.”
The high school students were playing in a smaller gym, which was designed more for the middle-school level. The main court in the new gym will meet collegiate regulations and the two practice courts will meet high school regulations. It will also seat 900-1,000 people and be open for public use.
The new gym is only one of the many renovations MHS is undergoing. A new 12-classroom building, the gym, a vastly remodeled auditorium, and a new track and field facility will also be added.
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education gave unanimous approval to a $6.6 million contract for the new construction and renovations at MHS. The money will come from the Malibu High School Proposition X/State Facility Program Budget, Unidentified Projects Proposi-tion X and other related district budget adjustments.
Five years ago, MHS completed a $7 million renovation project which created science laboratories, sports facilities, an amphitheater and updated the school for Internet access to each classroom. Money for both of these building projects came from bond propositions approved by 80 percent of the Malibu community.
On the new project, money is still needed for lockers for the new gym. Gardella hopes to fundraise for the extra $25,000 needed.
“It’s sad that they built an amazing facility and there are no lockers,” Gardella said. “It’s like buying a car without an engine.”
November 14, 2002