Bernards selected to build new Merced, Calif. high school campus

Bernards, a commercial builder with five offices throughout the southwest, has been selected by the Merced Union High School District to build El Capitan High School in Merced, announced Steve Pellegren, vice president of preconstruction services for Bernards.

Designed by San Jose, Calif.-based BCA Architects, the $76 million, 220,000-ft project encompasses nine buildings, including an administration building, library, new classrooms for the English and language arts, math, science, agriculture and special education departments and science and IT laboratory facilities, agricultural, metal and auto shop, as well as a full-service cafeteria and full theater that includes an open assembly hall with band and orchestra areas. 

The project also involves developing new athletic fields, including a grass football field, crushed-clay track, competition baseball and softball fields and bleachers, and gymnasium, which will house a main gym, locker rooms, practice gym, wrestling room and coaches’ offices.

Bernards broke ground in June 2011 on the phased project, which is scheduled for completion in June 2013. The project involves extensive site work to grade the 58-acre site where the school will be situated and connect campus infrastructure to existing city streets and underground utilities. This will include relocating utilities, paving road and sidewalks, and installing traffic signals, fencing and landscaping. +