Bernards Moves Ahead on $76M High School

MERCED, CA-Commercial builder Bernards is progressing on construction of El Capitan High School here, a $76-million project for which the firm was selected by Merced Union High School District to build. Bernards broke ground on the phased project in June 2011 and is scheduled to complete it in June 2013.

San Jose-based BCA Architects designed the 220,000-square-foot project, which 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; a full-service cafeteria; and a 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 bleacher, and a gymnasium that will house a main gym, locker rooms, practice gym, wrestling room and coaches’ offices.