SAN DIEGO, CA — Sundt’s California team is improving five San Diego Unified School District campuses, including a whole site modernization of Canyon Hills High School.
The project is a comprehensive effort aimed at revitalizing the nearly 50-year-old campus with significant upgrades to infrastructure and academic and athletic facilities. It seeks to address critical needs while enhancing the experience for students, athletes, and faculty alike.
Last year, the team delivered modern lab spaces to the campus, and now they are working on major improvements to the school’s athletic facilities.
The project’s scope is extensive, with work spread across various phases. The full site modernization includes interior upgrades, athletic field renovations, landscape improvements, and substantial underground utility work.
“Our team has cultivated strong collaboration with the campus, design team, and athletic director to align project phasing with key school-year activities, minimizing disruptions to campus schedules and maintaining construction efficiency despite significant impacts and delays,” Sundt Project Manager Brad Jones said.
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Aging utilities, including electrical and storm drainage systems, are being replaced to ensure the school is equipped to handle the demands of modern technology and growing student enrollment. This overhaul is critical to support future development and ensure the campus has a foundation capable of supporting new facilities without issue.
Perhaps one of the most anticipated elements of the modernization is the overhaul of the school’s athletic facilities. The gymnasium and locker room renovation, which was addressed in several phases to ensure minimal interruption to student activities, presented utility challenges that required extensive upgrades.
“Although these challenges were unforeseen, it’s often the nature of working on a building built in 1975,” Senior Project Engineer Noah Champlin said. “The district is intent on providing the best experience for their students, so when we encountered these issues, we switched gears and modified the schedule. We want the school’s infrastructure to be solid for decades to come.”
“Our team has been quick to problem-solve. Regular communication with the district, construction management team, and the campus has helped navigate obstacles," Senior Project Superintendent Daniel Pierce said. "We proposed solutions to mitigate the impacts of delayed construction on key events, such as the school’s graduation ceremony.”
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Additionally, the project includes the construction of a new softball field, as well as extensive upgrades to the football stadium area, including refurbished bleachers and improved concession stands. The existing baseball field will also receive a facelift, with new backstops, dugouts, and a freshly updated infield. Significant improvements are being made to the track and field area, with dedicated space for field sports like shot put and an upgraded surface for runners.
A key architectural feature of the project is the installation of an exterior elevator and bridge system, which will help mitigate the campus’s steep terrain. The school’s elevation difference — spanning around 50 feet between the main campus and the football field — makes access challenging for some individuals. This new system will significantly improve accessibility, adding both functional and aesthetic value to the campus.
“These upgrades reflect the growing importance of athletic programs at Canyon Hills, and improvements will enhance the experience for athletes and spectators alike,” Champlin said.
Since last summer, the team has completed most infrastructure upgrades, building shells on the upper and lower fields and setting the bridge that provides elevator access to the lower field. They are nearing completion of the softball and baseball fields and working on paving sitewide.
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From upgraded athletic facilities to improved accessibility and infrastructure, the modernization will not only meet the immediate needs of the school, but will also lay the groundwork for the future. The result will be a safer and more functional space for both students and the broader community.
