Historically, parking on campus has mostly been restricted to seniors, until now. Over winter break, major construction projects began on the lower quad and the outdoor basketball courts, with plans underway that include a new parking lot replacing the current softball field. The lot will be available to all licensed student drivers, extending beyond just seniors.
Following the parking issues in the senior lot during the first semester, along with Mulholland and Valmar being completely full each morning, students are welcoming the change.
“My sister and I have to get to school at around 7:30am, an hour before school begins just to get one of the last spots on Valmar… I feel that this helps with more open space on Valmar and Mulholland,” said Cameron Cheong, a 10th grade student.
According to Assistant Principal David Pickard, students will have to purchase a parking pass in order to park in the lot, where spots will be limited.
“It’s going to be first come first serve, so it’s not going to be assigned spots. We’re just going to sell the parking pass. If you have the pass displayed and you’re parked in that lot, you’re good to go,” said Pickard.
However, this is still a new plan and will take a while to become fully operational. Administrators have identified the steep ramp leading up to the lot as a potential concern, and the possibility of adding a traffic light at the bottom of the ramp is under discussion.
“The parking lot project is still under District Facilities review to determine the location, cost approval, planning, and permitting process, so it is unfortunately still in the early stages,” said Shawn Vudmaska, the Construction Project Manager for LVUSD.
Even so, the parking lot is expected to be finished by the end of the summer, ready for use in the 2026-2027 school year.
Other construction projects are already underway across campus. When students returned from winter break, they were met with chain-link fences bordering much of the lower quad, including the stage used for nutrition games.
Lower quad construction began because Pickard and Principal Wutkee felt that the space wasn’t being used to its full potential.
“Nobody was hanging out there. So we moved [the stage] back up against the MPR so we could still use it for rallies or different ASB events. We’re gonna have a concrete path that goes from the center stairs and winds through that area and then on either side do really nice turf,” said Pickard.
Administration has also decided to implement the same sail shades that are by the cafeteria to ensure a comfortable space for the students. Construction is expected to finish by mid to early February.
Student athletes additionally took note of the construction by the field, on the outdoor basketball courts, which have been used sparingly. This is set to be a secondary practice field, also expected to finish at around the same time, in mid to early February.
“It’s going to be a turf field that can be used by our various sports teams. So those out of season sports would have a space to practice in, PE classes can use it, and we can use it for connect and reflect,” said Pickard.
Athletes on campus recognize the importance of a new field and are glad for its addition, including Kelsey Tasem, an 11th grade student who runs track and cross country.
“As an athlete I think it’s amazing that our school will have another open space to practice at so different sports don’t get in the way of each other,” said Tasem.
Further construction is set to take place on the upper field once softball and basketball season is over. Upper field construction will include a new, state-of-the-art softball field, and smaller projects will include a new gym video scoreboard, a new stadium scoreboard, and other additions to the lower quad and S building. The total predicted price for these projects will be around $2.2 million.
