C.W. Driver Companies has completed construction of a new $19 million Aquatics Center at Torrey Pines High School in San Diego, delivering a state-of-the-art home for one of California’s most successful high school swimming, diving, and water polo programs. The competition-grade complex represents the third phase of the San Dieguito Union High School District’s long-term athletics modernization initiative.
Funded primarily by the district, the 7,099-square-foot facility will serve athletes from multiple SDUHSD high schools and is designed to meet NCAA and USA Swimming standards. Beyond competitive use, the center incorporates adaptive features to ensure access for students with disabilities and those requiring therapeutic aquatic activity.
“Building a functional Aquatics Center on-site is essential to supporting the wide range of needs of athletes and their supporters,” said Andrew Hansen, Senior Project Manager at C.W. Driver. “We are grateful to contribute to the continued success of San Dieguito Union High School District swimming, diving, and water polo teams.”
Championship-Grade Design with Inclusive Access
The centerpiece of the project is a 25-yard by 37-meter competition pool equipped with a twelve-foot deep end and two diving boards for sanctioned events. Infrastructure supports both water polo practices and official match play, positioning Torrey Pines High School to host regional competitions.
Importantly, the pool includes three shallow-water lanes dedicated to instructional swimming and adaptive aquatics programming. These areas are intended for students with disabilities as well as those needing rehabilitative or low-impact physical activity, reflecting a growing emphasis on inclusive athletic environments.
Adjacent to the pool, a main building provides expanded locker rooms with direct deck access, team rooms for meetings and strategy sessions, centralized coaches’ offices, and ample storage. Five ADA-accessible restrooms are distributed throughout the facility to accommodate spectators and athletes alike.
Designed to Strengthen Student Experience Beyond Competition
District officials noted that the project was shaped not only around elite athletics but also around day-to-day student needs. The inclusion of gear storage, study space, and improved circulation aims to reduce logistical challenges that previously required teams to transport equipment across campus. Coaches will now be able to focus more on training and mentorship rather than operational hurdles.
Third Phase of Campus-Wide Athletics Transformation
The Aquatics Center marks the latest milestone in the San Dieguito Unified School District's multi-year Athletics Facilities Project, a comprehensive modernization of Torrey Pines' sports infrastructure to serve over 2,600 students. Thus far, additional completed work on new facilities includes:
Phase 1 & 2 Completions:
- New baseball field
- Two softball fields, including a Varsity Softball field with Bermuda grass, new backstop, outfield fence, irrigation and landscaping
- Two multi-purpose sports fields
- Four new post-tensioned concrete tennis courts
- Resurfacing of four existing tennis courts
- Modernized locker rooms with new roofing, ADA-compliant wheelchair lifts, updated plumbing, lighting, and ceramic tile
Despite operating on an active high school campus, C.W. Driver delivered the Aquatics Center in fewer than 19 months. The contractor prioritized off-peak construction hours and worked closely with school administrators to avoid disruption to classes and athletic schedules.
"This new Aquatic Center will be a great asset to the District for many decades to come," said Rick Mortazavi, Executive Director of Planning Services at SDUHSD.
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Long-Term Partnership Between District and Builder
C.W. Driver’s completion of the Aquatics Center builds on nearly a decade of collaboration with the San Dieguito Unified School District. The company has delivered—or is currently advancing—multiple major projects across the district, including:
- Pacific Trails Middle School new classroom building C
- Sunset High School reconstruction
- Torrey Pines High School building “I” modernization including new food service area, makerspace, and digital arts classrooms
- New visual arts center facility building
- San Dieguito High School Academy, multiple phased modernizations and athletics fields
The Aquatics Center is located at 3710 Del Mar Heights Rd, San Diego, CA 92130 and is expected to become a hub for both competitive events and community engagement.
About C.W. Driver Companies
C.W. Driver Companies is a premier builder serving California since 1919. In 2019, the historic company proudly celebrated its 100-year anniversary. As a leader in general contracting and construction management services, C.W. Driver Companies is on the cutting edge across a broad spectrum of industries, including education, commercial/office, technology, healthcare/biomedical, mixed-use, assisted living, entertainment, retail, industrial, and civic. Ranked in Engineering News-Record’s Top 150 General Contractors and Top 100 Construction Managers, C.W. Driver Companies can build a variety of projects, from large tenant improvements to small renovations and specialized projects through its affiliates Driver SPG and Good & Roberts. C.W. Driver Companies has offices located in Los Angeles, Rancho Cucamonga, Anaheim, San Diego and Carlsbad. For more information, please visit www.cwdriver.com. Follow C.W. Driver Companies on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Originally reported by C.W.Driver Companies.
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