LOS ANGELES—Bernards, a nationally ranked commercial builder with five offices throughout the Southwest, has been selected to serve as general contractor for the renovation and expansion of the University of Southern California's new Uytengsu Aquatic Center.  The project is scheduled for completion in April 2014.

Designed by Berkley, California-based ELS Architecture and Urban Design, the $12.5 million project will add 18,000 square feet to the existing facilities, bringing the overall project area to 85,000 square feet.  The USC aquatics center has hosted many national and international swimming, diving and water polo championships, including the 1984 Summer Olympic Games. 

Formerly known as the McDonald Olympic Swim Stadium and Kennedy Aquatics Building, the new stadium features will include permanent seating for 1,500 spectators, shade canopies and lighting for nighttime competitive events. Additionally, the plan will provide the flexibility to accommodate 2,500 spectators for larger events, as well as make the facility more accessible to non-athlete students.

The decision to upgrade the aquatics facilities was spurred, in part, by a gift to the athletic department from an undisclosed donor, specifically for renovation of the aquatics center. Additional funds have also been raised to complete the renovation.

The new state-of-the-art, two-story addition will meld Italian Romanesque architectural style with contemporary aquatic facility design to provide an array of student-athlete and coach amenities. The project scope includes a new stadium entry, open-air diving, dry-land training and a lanai area for parties area, men's and women's swimming and water polo locker rooms, coach offices, team meeting rooms, a scoreboard, permanent seating, equipment storage, an observation deck, restrooms and repair/modifications to the diving tower and pool deck.

“We are excited to be chosen to manage this project,” said Jeff M. Bernards, VP and project executive of Uytengsu. “As with any school or sports stadium project, the major challenge is keeping facilities functional while construction proceeds.  In this case,” he noted, “the pools must remain open and operational during construction.”

Bernards has extensive experience in the building and management of school renovation and expansion projects on occupied campuses, as well as construction planning to avoid disruption of school activities and ensure safety of students and staff.