Contractor Signs On to Build San Juan Hills Pool

Assurances from school officials that at will be completed in time for the 2012 swim season seem more promising now.

On Tuesday night, the Capistrano Unified School District board of trustees signed a contract with Horizons Construction Co. International Inc. to build the $3.1-million 30-meter pool, equipment building and restrooms. 

For Margie Tinsley, a parent at San Juan Hills who has consistently lobbied the district to, this will end a situation wrought with many inconveniences. Since the school opened in 2007, water polo and swim athletes (and their parents) have traveled to Tesoro High School in Las Flores for every practice and "home" game.

"It truly is—and I'm borrowing from [Deputy Superintendent Ron Lebs]—a watershed moment," she told the school board Tuesday night. "Be sure to add me to the invitation list for the 2012 grand opening."

The approval comes after the school board rejected bids it received in September and asked staffers to modify project documents before requesting new construction bids. The review resulted in upgrades to the pool area lighting, and modifications and improvements to the weight room, spokesman Marcus Walton said in a statement.

Penny Arévalo contributed to this report.