Continuing with its momentum in completing El Rodeo Elementary School and following its announcement that the Grand Front Lawn, Performing Arts Wing with Theaters, Tennis Courts and Upper Athletic Field will be complete in the summer of 2025, Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board of Education approved the contract for the start of construction for the Athletic Pavilion at Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) with Swinterton Builders. The pavilion will be completed in the summer of 2027.
The construction of the new athletic building at BHHS has been in the planning process for many years, and it will include the construction of a new two-story, approximately 45,000-square-foot gymnasium building—including combination basketball and volleyball courts, bleachers, weight training facilities, locker and team rooms, and various other athletic spaces—a separate 25-yard, 10-lane competition outdoor swimming pool—including a detached storage and pool equipment building, and retaining walls. The new building will replace the current Konheim Athletic Building and will also bear the Konheim Family name. Following completion of the new building, the existing Konheim Athletic Building will be demolished. The new facilities will complement the existing recently refurbished Swim Gym.
In March, following a competitive process, Swinerton Builders was selected for the Lease-Leaseback construction services for the new athletic pavilion, which will consist of an estimated cost of under $60,000,000, and the board approved this selection in May, along with a preconstruction services agreement. Upon approval, the contractors would begin the construction phase of the project, closing off a surface lot and the four tennis courts, which are currently adjacent to the Swim Gym.
At its Sept. 24 meeting, Board Member Noah Margo expressed concerns over egress difficulties arising from visitors walking from anticipated new parking lots on the south side of the BHHS to the athletic facilities. The construction team explained that they’re currently working on a plan with the city of Beverly Hills and Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy to combat these issues. Given such considerations, the board approved the contract in a 3-0 vote while Board Member Noah Margo abstained. The board also approved an agreement for districtwide security camera design services, including vape detectors for bathrooms at BHHS and Beverly Vista Middle School, and an updated version of the BHUSD Governance Handbook which includes the calendar schedule for BHUSD’s Strategic Plan meetings.
In recent months, the BHUSD construction program, under the direction of their bond management team, Fonder-Salari, along with BHUSD Executive Director of Construction Will Karrat, has been lauded for its successes. Earlier this year, the Construction Management Association (CMA) of America’s Southern California Chapter recognized El Rodeo Elementary School in the category of educational projects which cost over $50,000,000.
Board Member Judy Manouchehri told the Courier, “I am very pleased to see our construction program is moving forward with speed, transparency and in accordance with the schedule and budgeted bond dollars, as revised in these last 2.5 years.”
