Three years of intense construction are coming to a close at Arroyo Seco Junior High and Saugus High School, where modernization projects have brought two of the Hart District's existing campuses up to the standards established by the district's newest schools. The projects will be essentially complete in time for the opening day of school Aug. 20.

Modernization at Saugus High School was basically completed this summer, with only a small amount of site work remaining to complete. The project includes a new two-story administration building and library, food services facility, science building and amphitheater.

The school's existing classrooms have been completely modernized, ramps installed for disabled access across the multi-level campus, courtyards re-designed for easy maintenance and maximum usability, new softball playing fields installed and parking lots repaved.

The project has been completed on time and under the revised budget projections established by the district in 2006.

At Arroyo Seco, work continues on the new gymnasium and science building, due to be completed in time for the opening day of school. The project also includes a new administration building and library/media center, a two-story modular classroom building, modernization of all existing classrooms and a new amphitheater.

"We have had contractors at Arroyo Seco the past two weekends, both on Saturday and Sunday, to assure the completion of walkways and parking areas prior to the start of school," said Rob Gapper, chief operations officer for the Hart District.

Ramps have been installed for disabled access, courtyards repaved and landscaped, parking and student drop-off area redesigned and paved.

The two projects were funded by a combination of Measure V local bond proceeds, developer fees, state modernization and new construction money and the district's deferred maintenance fund.

"Both of these projects were made possible by the passage of Measure V in 2001," Gapper continued. "We thank the citizens of Santa Clarita for their support of the bond."

Contractors have been taking full advantage of the "summer sprint" opportunity to fast forward their work on the extensive modernization project currently underway at Canyon High School.

While students were off campus this summer, construction crews demolished the old food services building, completed widespread excavation needed for underground utilities, graded the pad for a new food services building and made major headway on the school's new administration and two-story science classroom buildings.

Those projects are due for completion next spring and should be ready for the 2008-09 school year.

A new student store building also is part of Phase III of Canyon's modernization, as is modernization of the school's T and Q buildings. Those projects are due to be complete and ready for occupancy when school starts on Aug. 20.

Phase I of Canyon's modernization program is already complete and includes modernization of most existing classrooms on campus, the library and gymnasium. Ramps have been installed for disabled access, concrete repaired and many of the quad areas and walkways re-landscaped.

The entire project is funded with proceeds from Measure V local school bonds, developer fees, state new construction and modernization bonds and some of the district's deferred maintenance fund.