By Michael Sugerman

Two major campus construction projects which have been underway for almost a year are set to finish by mid-August, Director of Campus Operations and Construction J.D. De Matte said. Several smaller projects are also due to be completed when school starts.

After arriving from Italy via the Panama Canal June 7, the frame for the new swimming pool has been installed. Workers are now smoothing the bottom surface of the pool, building the deck, constructing the pool house and installing bleachers to wrap up assembly of the new aquatic complex.

In the meantime, construction on the Kutler Center is on schedule, De Matte said. Construction workers are midway through drywalling the building, and furniture is scheduled for arrival in three to four weeks.

“We’re starting to button everything up,” De Matte said. “We’re getting there. We’re getting really close.”

Additionally, in the last month, two new offices were created in Chalmers Hall. De Matte said that both are framed, drywalled and furbished with furniture.

Mudd Library and the silent study area will reopen in September, and the Chalmers East area where the temporary library was housed will  be reincorporated into the lounge. Offices are being built on the stage in Chalmers East for the dean coordinators. Furthermore, the temporary silent study trailer outside of Chalmers has been divided into two new English classrooms.

Construction by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power on water mains along Coldwater Canyon will continue to limit access to the school’s south entrance for approximately another year, De Matte said. After that, they will move further south, blocking the back entry to Hamilton Gym and to the St. Michael’s lot.

For a photo gallery of June construction progress, click here.