CITY OF INDUSTRY – Hacienda La Puente Unified’s community celebrated the completion of the La Puente High School (LPHS) Pool, Kitchen and Locker Room Project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 14, revealing a new state-of-the-art swimming pool, modernized kitchen and renovated locker rooms.

Construction began in April 2020 and was supported by District facilities funds and Certificates of Participation (COPS), which concluded with a total cost of $15 million.

LPHS leadership students welcomed guests at the pool’s entrance, directing them to follow a brightly decorated pathway, leading to a lively mariachi band, a self-guided kitchen tour and ceremony seating. The event included a presentation of colors led by Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps students, performances from the school’s marching band and cheerleading squad and speeches from students, Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez, Board Vice President Christine H. Salazar and Principal Dr. Lisa Lopez.

“La Puente High School is the oldest school in our District, having served the HLPUSD community for 107 years,” Salazar said. “Thank you to our former Board members, administrators and present Board of Education who contributed to this project and our community for your patience while we worked to ensure these improvements were completed properly. I want to thank Joyce Garcia, the LPHS kitchen manager and the entire staff for caring for our outstanding students. The Warriors family deserves the best – this is for you.”

At the center of the campus is a newly built 12-lane, 75-foot by 99-foot pool capable of holding CIF-sanctioned events. The new 4,350 square-foot kitchen includes a walk-in freezer and refrigeration space, along with expansive dry storage, a restroom and locker area, a recycling room and a manager’s office. The renovated locker rooms include a new built-in pool equipment room, a coaching office and boys and girls restrooms.

The updated facilities are designed to provide meal service efficiency, expand engagement in aquatic activities, offer safe spaces to store personal belongings and promote school pride for more than 1,000 La Puente High School students.

During the ceremony, the Board of Education and Lopez were presented with two certificates of commendation from the offices of Los Angeles Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, as well as a certificate of recognition from the City of La Puente.

“Thank you to our Board of Education for supporting our projects and vision, Dr. Lopez for being an integral team member in the project’s planning process and Manoj Roychowdury and Joel Duarte for your diligence in managing the project’s progress,” Jiménez said. “I would also like to thank our architects, the DLR Group, general contractors from AMG and Associates, Inc. and Balfour Beatty, our outstanding construction managers for all their hard work and dedication and providing the food and refreshments for the ceremony. At Hacienda La Puente Unified, we continuously work together to offer our students high-quality facilities, recreational opportunities and boosted academic experiences.”

PHOTO CAPTION:

HLPUSD_LPHSRIBBONCUTTING1: From left to right: Board member Stephanie Serrano, City of La Puente Mayor Pro Tem Valerie Muñoz, City of La Puente Council Member David Argudo, Board member Anthony Duarte, Board Vice President Christine H. Salazar, Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez, La Puente High School Principal Dr. Lisa Lopez, Board President Jeffrey De La Torre, City of La Puente Mayor Charlie Klinakis, City of La Puente Council Member Gabriel Quiñones and Board Clerk Dr. Joseph K. Chang prepare to cut the ribbon for the completion of the La Puente High School Pool, Kitchen and Locker Rooms project on Sept. 14.
HLPUSD_LPHSRIBBONCUTTING2: Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez and La Puente High School Principal Dr. Lisa Lopez welcome guests to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating the school’s completed Pool, Kitchen and Locker Room Project on Sept. 14.

HLPUSD_LPHSRIBBONCUTTING3: Hacienda La Puente Unified’s newly built 75-foot by 99-foot pool, which holds 347,605 gallons of water was unveiled to the community during the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 14.

HLPUSD_LPHSRIBBONCUTTING4: La Puente High School cheerleaders welcome guests to the kitchen’s self-guided tour during the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 14.