Officials unveil plans for new Simon Sanchez High School campus

Take a look at the new Home of the Sharks.

After years of waiting, a proposal has finally become a reality.

“The design took quite a while; I’m very pleased with the design,” said Vince Arriola, Director of the Department of Public Works. 

Arriola gave a sneak peek into the school’s layout.

The 300,000 square foot campus is expected to hold 1,900 students.

The design includes three wings with 100 classrooms. The rebuild is a whopping $166 million.

The Guam Economic Development Authority is assisting with financing but it’s a higher cost than originally planned years back. 

“Just within the 10-year gap, we’ve really almost grown almost 60-70% in cost for the same amount of students,” said Tina Garcia, Public Finance Manager at the Guam Economic Development Authority. 

Officials and students continue pushing to break ground soon. 

Arriola added a crucial factor is getting the request for proposal stage for construction and financing off the ground.

“They will help us to develop the RFP. Once we get into construction, they will be on the ground with the contractor–making sure that we are approved in the design and in the plans actually built by the contractor,” said Arriola. 

The RFP will be developed by SSFM International Inc.

The company was awarded the $7.9 million contract for the project’s construction management.

Meantime, Guam Department of Education Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Swanson had limited updates on the temporary school for sharks.

GDOE is eyeing the small space in Tumon. 

For now, students continue double sessions at John F. Kennedy High.