Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

California K–12 District Opens New Athletic Complex, Gym

  • By Matt Jones
  • 09/09/25

The San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD) in San Mateo, Calif., recently announced the completion of two new athletics facilities: a new gymnasium at Burlingame High School, and a new athletic training complex at San Mateo High School, according to a news release. The district partnered with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects for both projects’ design, with BHM Construction for construction work at Burlingame, and with Lathrop Construction for work at San Mateo High School. Funding came from the Measure L General Obligation Bond that voters passed in 2020.

The new gymnasium facility at Burlingame High School measures 37,492 square feet, and it contains two gyms, locker rooms, a wrestling facility, physical education offices, main lobby, and storage and support spaces, the news release reports. The new gym replaces an older, outdated facility and was designed to accommodate increased student enrollment in student athletics and athletic events.

“The completion of these projects is a critical milestone for our District, as these new facilities directly address the growing participation in our athletics programs and provide essential modern, expanded spaces for both our students and the broader community,” said SMUHSD Associate Superintendent and Chief Business Officer Yancy Hawkins. “We are grateful to the voters whose support for Measure L made these vital enhancements possible.”

Meanwhile, the new Athletic Training Complex at San Mateo High School covers 20,085 square feet to meet the school’s demand for athletics space. Amenities include a gym with seating for 820 spectators, training and team rooms, restrooms, a classroom, and additional support spaces.

Both new facilities were designed with sustainability features like rooftop solar arrays, energy efficient mechanical systems, cool roof roofing systems, LED lighting systems, low flow plumbing fixtures, automatic lighting controls, and drought-tolerant landscaping, the news release reports.

“We are proud to have partnered with the San Mateo Union High School District to bring these two gymnasiums to life, creating dynamic spaces that will serve students and enhance the schools’ athletics programs for many years,” said QKA Principal John Dybczak. “Designing facilities that meet the evolving needs of students and communities is at the core of what we do.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • College of the Desert Hits Construction Milestone on New Campus

    College of the Desert recently announced that the construction of its new Palm Springs Campus in Palm Springs, Calif., recently reached a major construction milestone, according to a news release. The college is partnering with general contractor C.W. Driver Companies, which recently “topped out” the facility by placing the final beam in its structure.

  • How a Portable Sink Helped an Art Classroom Run More Smoothly

    Classroom design decisions can have outsized effects on instructional time and safety at schools juggling mismatched infrastructure, strict budgets, and crowded schedules — particularly in the arts. Between spilled paint and dirty brushes, art classes run smoother with a sink in the studio. But many schools don’t have a sink in every art classroom.

  • Deferred Maintenance Issues Growing at Universities, Gordian Reports

    U.S. colleges and universities are falling increasingly behind on facilities maintenance and repair, according to Gordian’s 13th annual State of Facilities in Higher Education report. The deferred capital renewal burden has reached $156 per gross square foot, an 8% increase over the previous year.

  • Classical building columns display digital data streams

    The Campus Nervous System: Why Facilities Risk Is Now a Leadership Issue in Higher Education

    Facility performance now intersects with safety, compliance, on-campus experience, institutional reputation, and financial resilience. That places it firmly on the leadership agenda.