Balfour Beatty, Del Mar Union School District Celebrates Completion of Del Mar Heights School Rebuild

October 2, 2024

DEL MAR, CALIF. - Balfour Beatty and Del Mar Union School District (DMUSD) announces the completion of the Del Mar Heights School rebuild project in San Diego. To celebrate the school's reopening, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held September 13 which included student performances and District guests, followed by an open house for the community to explore the new campus.

The state-of-the-art facility, delivered by Balfour Beatty, features 23 K-6 learning studios, three STEAM+ learning studios, three after school program rooms, a new administration building, multiuse room with a stage, kitchen/servery, innovation center, learning commons, new play field, play courts and play structures, outdoor amphitheater, garden and decompressed granite track

As a special gift to commemorate the project, Balfour Beatty also commissioned a custom dolphin sculpture by local wildlife sculpture artist Casey Parlette. The sculpture has been installed in front of the school, serving as a lasting symbol of the community's spirit and resilience.

Brian Cahill, Balfour Beatty president in California stated, "The success of this project embodies our commitment to operational excellence, safety and being a Relentless Ally for the District. We are excited that we brought the Architect's incredible vision to life for this special site near Torrey Pines Reserve. We're particularly proud of our teammates who, during the project's delivery, assisted with fire rescue efforts when wildfires threatened the project and surrounding areas. Seeing this school open its doors, knowing we've contributed not just to its construction but to the future generations of students in Del Mar, is immensely fulfilling for our entire team."

Balfour Beatty team members assisted with Del Mar fire rescue efforts in June, which spared the project and surrounding areas from potential damage. The teammates helped sustain a fire at the Torrey Pines State Reserve, hosing down buildings near Mira Montana, protecting neighbors' homes when winds shifted and helped neighbors to safety. The project team also evacuated workers from the nearby school and supported first responders to secure the project site as the school's new turf field was used as a landing zone for helicopters that dropped water and hotshots into the impacted area.

DMUSD Superintendent Holly McClurg, Ph.D. stated, "We are thrilled to reopen Del Mar Heights School for our students, staff, and community! This newly rebuilt school will support our students and community for years to come. The design and construction of this school embodies the work we have done through our District Design 2022 and Destination 2028! strategic plans to transform the school experience for our students. This community-designed school truly represents what a learning environment should look like now and for years to come."