The West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) recently broke ground on a two-phase campus replacement project at Lake Elementary School that is expected to be complete in summer 2025.
The new campus at 2700 11th St. in San Pablo will replace outdated and undersized school buildings with “next generation classroom and auxiliary spaces” for nearly 500 students from TK through grade six, according to the school district.
A welcoming front entrance will house administrative services and the library on the new campus, designed to accomodate community events after school hours. Grades first through third and fourth through sixth will be “clustered within learning suites, allowing individual classrooms to open to a large shared open space that can easily adapt to suit different curricular needs,” the district said. TK and kindergarten classrooms will be set apart from the other grade levels and will share outdoor gathering and play areas.
A multi-purpose building at the heart of campus will provide food service, indoor and outdoor dining, as well as a venue for gathering and performances. A “main street” thoroughfare will connect campus buildings and playgrounds.
Design-build partners Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) and Alten Construction Inc. collaborated on the project, which will include several green features such as a cool roof and architectural finishes with high levels of recycled content, according to the district. The campus will also feature energy efficient mechanical equipment, LED lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures with automatic shutoffs, drought tolerant landscaping and synthetic turf.
Construction began in June and is separated into two phases, with the first phase including the new office, library, and classrooms on the east side of the campus, and the second phase including the new cafeteria, Kinder/TK complex, and playfields, according to the latest project update. The campus will be occupied, and community pedestrian access
will be limited during construction.
“We are thrilled to see our community and faculty vision come to fruition,” Dr. Chris Hurst WCCUSD superintendent said in a statement. “We have long sought a campus that enhances Lake Elementary School’s educational programs, supports the needs of the community and will be a source of pride for students, parents and staff. We are grateful to partner closely with our project team, whose guidance and expert knowledge has been instrumental in navigating complexities while remaining on budget.”
To follow project construction updates, go here.
