Graduation Plans Reset After Another Construction Delay

Seniors at and their parents had their hearts set on having a graduation in the school's new theater this year.

But construction delays with the building have brought disappointment to those who imagined being the first to christen the theater with pomp and circumstance.

The delay is one more obstacle the school has had to deal with during Cap's $55 million renovation, which after a steel subcontractor went out of business.

Crews found groundwater deep in the foundation of the building, which dealt a blow to the construction timeline, said Assistant Principal Margarita Navarro.

"It's something they have dealt with now," Navarro said. "We're confident they have remedied the situation."

Since then, the contractor has resubmitted the plans for the theater, and it is set to be finished over the summer, Navarro added.

All is not lost, however, for the outgoing seniors.

After conducting a survey about other locations for this year's graduation, Cap officials have decided to hold the ceremony on the football field at noon on June 1.

Navarro said there was consensus among students and staff that the football field would be the best place to accommodate everyone and their guests. 

The San Mateo Performing Arts Center, where the graduation was held last year, is under construction, so that option is out. Many other high schools are turning to their football fields as well, Navarro said.

As for the other construction projects still underway at the school, Navarro said everything should be done before the next school year. 

The art satellite building is expected to be done by spring break. The humanities building should be done by June. The new music building should also be done by June.

To give the students and parents a glimpse of hope, the school opened the newly renovated main gym for the first time this week for the last varsity girls and boys basketball games of the year, where the teams celebrated Senior Day. The lobby is still under construction, however.

Navarro said the school understands the frustration that many might have about the delays, but the horizon is near.

"We've just got to keep an eye on the prize that we'll soon have brand new facilities for the kids to take advantage of," she said.

For more news about San Bruno, follow San Bruno Patch on Twitter and "like" us on Facebook. Got Patch in your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter.