By Justin Sinnott

With decades of local experience and a diverse portfolio, Erickson-Hall Construction Co. continues to set the standard for building world-class educational facilities across Southern California. And while summer typically signals a quiet period on school campuses, this is when the San Diego-based firm steps into its busiest, high-energy season: the annual “Summer Sprint.”��

During a tight, eight-week window, Erickson-Hall delivers major infrastructure improvements across multiple district sites before the school year begins. By making the most of the summer months, Erickson-Hall��is able to��upgrade campuses with minimal disruption to students and staff. As the firm gears up for another summer sprint in 2026, it is building off the momentum of several recently completed milestone projects. These large-scale builds��showcase��Erickson-Hall’s deep��expertise��in design-build, construction��management��and multi-phase modernizations.��

Erickson-Hall’s delivery of brand-new Upper Athletic Fields at Beverly Hills High School in March marked a major milestone in Beverly Hills Unified School District’s multi-phased campus transformation. This ambitious design-build project required upgrading aging recreational infrastructure while carefully��maintaining��the school’s historic character. The scope of work included the construction of brand-new tennis courts, a lighted softball field, comprehensive utility improvements,��retaining��walls and a permanent modular restroom building — delivering a dynamic environment for the district’s 3,300 students.��

With a similar focus on multi-use athletic spaces, Erickson-Hall also unveiled the��state-of-the-art��Wiseburn Sports Complex for Wiseburn Unified School District in April. Designed to function as both an athletic engine for student-athletes and a cornerstone for local youth sports organization events, the complex integrates fields for Little League baseball, high school��softball��and youth soccer. More than upgrades to playing surfaces, the scope of work extended to player and spectator amenities, including new dugouts, batting cages, scoreboards, upgraded parking and a full concession building with modern restrooms. These facilities are backed by heavy infrastructure upgrades including underground utilities, irrigation,��fencing��and low-voltage systems.����

Shifting focus from athletics to the arts, in April, Erickson-Hall also cut the ribbon on a new Center for the Arts at Hesperia High School in San Bernardino County. This project��represented��a significant investment in the school’s arts education, providing modern, high-capacity spaces designed for student learning, professional��development��and community engagement. At the heart of this 40,500-square-foot versatile hub is a 500-seat performance stage and a flexible multi-purpose area. To accommodate the new facility, the project team also managed broader campus adjustments, including the relocation of existing tennis courts, alongside landscaping and surrounding site improvements to enhance the general campus environment.��������

The seamless delivery of these projects highlights Erickson-Hall’s strong focus on preconstruction and early planning. Engaging corporate expertise early provides school districts and civic leaders with��constructibility��reviews and cost-saving strategies that eliminate expensive surprises and delays down the road.����

Ultimately, navigating these complex, multi-phase builds��requires��deep trust and transparent communication among owners,��architects��and subcontractors. As an employee-owned company, this collaborative spirit is built directly into Erickson-Hall’s culture. Every team member has a stake in the firm’s success, translating a personal commitment to quality into tangible, high-efficiency results for clients.������

This dedication to community-driven excellence is fully on display as Erickson-Hall works on this year’s Summer Sprint, which is well underway. The firm is carrying this momentum forward to build the next generation of spaces where Southern California communities can thrive.��

About Erickson-Hall Construction Co.��

Celebrating 28 years of excellence in the construction industry, Erickson-Hall is a recognized industry leader,��having completed��over $4.9 billion in successful construction projects, of which $4.3 billion has been for K-12 and higher education developments.����The employee-owned company has been serving the Southern California markets of San Diego, Imperial, Orange, South Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties since 1998. Services include preconstruction, general contracting, construction management, design-build, progressive design-build, design assist-build, lease-leaseback��and program management for educational, fire, essential services, civic, parks, recreation, faith-based, office and healthcare facilities. The company has an award-winning portfolio of completed projects and has received��numerous��awards for safety. For more information, visit��. Find us on LinkedIn and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.���� ��

Justin Sinnott is Vice President of Corporate Services��at Erickson-Hall Construction.����

See this article featured in the Design & Construction issue of 91��Ƶ, available now.

The post Building the Future: Erickson-Hall Construction Co. Delivers Multiple Major Southern California Campus Transformations and Kicks Off ‘Summer Sprint’ appeared first on 91��Ƶ.

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By Lindsey Coulter

The 91��Ƶ Design + Construction Symposium brought education leaders, architects, designers, contractors, developers and facilities professionals together Aug. 5 at Denver’s historic Tivoli Turnhalle to examine how evolving needs are reshaping the design and delivery of K-12 and higher education environments.��

Held on the Auraria Campus, the event focused on project-driven discussions around student belonging, school safety, community engagement, mass timber, urban��development��and the increasingly compressed construction schedules facing school districts. The symposium was designed to move beyond broad industry trends and examine real projects and lessons that can be applied to future work.��

Designing for Belonging��

The program opened with a keynote from Dr. Drew Coleman, Chief of Schools for Jeffco Public Schools, who challenged attendees to consider the relationship between school environments, student��experience��and educational outcomes.��

Coleman’s presentation, “Building Belonging: Designing Schools Where Students Feel Safe Enough to Learn and Prepared Enough to Lead,” examined how the physical environment can either support or hinder student success. His perspective connected education leadership, school��culture��and the built environment, reinforcing the symposium’s emphasis on designing schools around the needs of the people who use them.��

The keynote was followed by a district-level perspective from Micah Ali, president of Compton Unified School District. Ali discussed the development of Compton High School and the importance of trust,��continuity��and community partnerships in delivering major educational facilities projects.��

Born and raised in Compton, Ali played a foundational role in the development of��the high��school and has extensive experience in land use, development and partnerships aimed at expanding opportunities for students.��He also is helping guide the district’s upcoming Centennial and Dominguez Hills High School projects.����

The discussion illustrated a broader theme that ran throughout the symposium: successful school construction is not simply about delivering a building, but about creating facilities that reflect community priorities and support long-term educational goals.��

Beyond Safety and Security��

The morning continued with a design panel examining how safety, security,��belonging��and well-being can coexist in school environments.��

Panelists��Erika Ashauer, Human Experience Research Lead for HCM’s PK-12 Studio; Joel Williams, Studio Director at QKA; Guy Grace, vice chair of the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools; and Pat Tackney, Security & Architectural Sales Consultant for McGrory Glass Systems,��expanded the traditional definition of school safety beyond access control and security hardware. Panelists considered how visibility, privacy, supervision,��comfort��and a sense of belonging can influence the experience of students and staff.��

The discussion reflected a broader shift in school design toward environments that address both physical safety and the emotional and social conditions that help students learn.��

Summit House Provides a Case Study in Innovation��

After a networking break, the symposium shifted from K-12 schools to higher education and student��housing��with a case study��on��Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Summit House.��

Presented by��Martha Nelson, Director of Planning, Design and Construction for MSU Denver; Ben Diaz, Senior Development Manager for Columbia Ventures; Macy Huffaker, Project Architect with SAR+ Architects; Ryan Marshall – Superintendent at PCL Construction,��the��session, moderated by Leone Dick, Chief of Staff to the Vice President of Administration at MSU Denver,��explored the planning,��design��and delivery of MSU Denver’s first residence hall.��

Summit House��represents��a significant milestone for the university and for Colorado construction. The 12-story student residence is being delivered using mass timber and is positioned to become the tallest mass-timber structure in the state. The project also incorporates an urban construction environment and a public-private delivery model. (91��Ƶ)��

Rather than focusing on mass timber as a standalone innovation, the presentation examined the combination of decisions and partnerships��required��to make the project possible. Those included material��selection, planning,��logistics,��development��and construction delivery.��

The case study also gave attendees a closer look at the increasingly complex role of construction teams working in dense urban environments and managing innovative structural systems.��

Racing the Summer Construction Clock��

The symposium concluded its formal program with a panel focused on one of the most persistent challenges in K-12 construction: delivering projects within the limited summer construction window.��

Moderated by Chuck Amos, CEO of��SchoolBondFinder, the panel featured David J. Henderson,��Deputy��Chief of��Operations for Cherry Creek School District, and Justin Sinnott,��Vice��President of��Corporate��Operations at Erickson-Hall.��

Dubbed “The Summer Sprint,” the discussion��addressed��planning, coordination, risk��management��and project delivery during the period when schools are vacant but must be ready for students when the new academic year begins.��

Henderson brought more than 25 years of K-12 construction and��facilities��leadership to the discussion, including oversight of approximately��2 million square feet��of capital improvement,��construction��and renovation projects across Colorado school districts.��Sinnott contributed experience in project planning, execution, risk management and operational efficiency.��

The panel underscored how compressed schedules are placing greater emphasis on early planning,��coordination��and delivery strategies that can reduce risk while��maintaining��quality.��

The topic also reflected broader pressures facing districts nationwide. 91��Ƶ recently examined the “Summer Sprint” as an increasingly demanding period in which districts must complete everything from HVAC replacements and classroom renovations to larger capital projects before students return.��

From Conversation to Job Site��

Attendees also��had the opportunity to take the��morning’s��discussion into the field with an exclusive tour of MSU Denver’s Summit House.��

The tour provided a firsthand look at the mass-timber residence hall and connected the project’s planning and delivery discussion with its physical construction. According to 91��Ƶ, the project��represents��the intersection of student housing demand, urban development, innovative��materials��and alternative approaches to project delivery.��

Across its sessions, the symposium emphasized a common challenge facing both K-12 and higher education: making increasingly complex capital investments serve long-term institutional and community goals.��

From Coleman’s examination of belonging to Ali’s discussion of community trust, the design panel’s exploration of safety and well-being, Summit House’s innovative delivery and the final panel’s focus on compressed construction schedules, the event demonstrated that the future of educational construction will require collaboration across disciplines.��

Rather than treating design, construction, operations and educational outcomes as separate considerations, the symposium brought those perspectives together around a shared question:��How can the industry create schools and campuses that are not only built successfully, but equipped to serve the people and communities who depend on them?��

The post Design + Construction Symposium Tackles Real Challenges with Real Solutions appeared first on 91��Ƶ.

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By Justin Sinnott��

With decades of local experience and a diverse portfolio, Erickson-Hall Construction Co. continues to set the standard for building world-class educational facilities across Southern California. And while summer typically signals a quiet period on school campuses, this is when the San Diego-based firm steps into its busiest, high-energy season: the annual “Summer Sprint.”��

During a tight, eight-week window, Erickson-Hall delivers major infrastructure improvements across multiple district sites before the school year begins. By making the most of the summer months, Erickson-Hall is able to upgrade campuses with minimal disruption to students and staff. As the firm wraps up another summer sprint in 2026, it is building off the momentum of several recently completed milestone projects. These large-scale builds showcase Erickson-Hall’s deep expertise in design-build, construction management and multi-phase modernizations.��

Erickson-Hall’s delivery of brand-new Upper Athletic Fields at Beverly Hills High School in March marked a major milestone in Beverly Hills Unified School District’s multi-phased campus transformation. This ambitious design-build project required upgrading aging recreational infrastructure while carefully��maintaining��the school’s historic character. The scope of work included the construction of brand-new tennis courts, a lighted softball field, comprehensive utility improvements,��retaining��walls and a permanent modular restroom building — delivering a dynamic environment for the district’s 3,300 students.��

With a similar focus on multi-use athletic spaces, Erickson-Hall also unveiled the��state-of-the-art��Wiseburn Sports Complex for Wiseburn Unified School District in April. Designed to function as both an athletic engine for student-athletes and a cornerstone for local youth sports organization events, the complex integrates fields for Little League baseball, high school��softball��and youth soccer. More than upgrades to playing surfaces, the scope of work extended to player and spectator amenities, including new dugouts, batting cages, scoreboards, upgraded parking and a full concession building with modern restrooms. These facilities are backed by heavy infrastructure upgrades including underground utilities, irrigation,��fencing��and low-voltage systems.����

Shifting focus from athletics to the arts, in April, Erickson-Hall also cut the ribbon on a new Center for the Arts at Hesperia High School in San Bernardino County. This project��represented��a significant investment in the school’s arts education, providing modern, high-capacity spaces designed for student learning, professional��development��and community engagement. At the heart of this 40,500-square-foot versatile hub is a 500-seat performance stage and a flexible multi-purpose area. To accommodate the new facility, the project team also managed broader campus adjustments, including the relocation of existing tennis courts, alongside landscaping and surrounding site improvements to enhance the general campus environment.������

The seamless delivery of these projects highlights Erickson-Hall’s strong focus on preconstruction and early planning. Engaging corporate expertise early provides school districts and civic leaders with��constructibility��reviews and cost-saving strategies that eliminate expensive surprises and delays down the road.����

Ultimately, navigating these complex, multi-phase builds��requires��deep trust and transparent communication among owners,��architects��and subcontractors. As an employee-owned company, this collaborative spirit is built directly into Erickson-Hall’s culture. Every team member has a stake in the firm’s success, translating a personal commitment to quality into tangible, high-efficiency results for clients.������

This dedication to community-driven excellence is fully on display as Erickson-Hall works on this year’s Summer Sprint, which is well underway. The firm is carrying this momentum forward to build the next generation of spaces where Southern California communities can thrive.��

Justin Sinnott is Vice President of Corporate Services��at Erickson-Hall Construction.����

The post Building the Future: Erickson-Hall Construction Co. Delivers Multiple Major Southern California Campus Transformations and Wraps Up 2026 ‘Summer Sprint’�� appeared first on 91��Ƶ.

The post Building the Future: Erickson-Hall Construction Co. Delivers Multiple Major Southern California Campus Transformations and Wraps Up 2026 ‘Summer Sprint’�� appeared first on 91��Ƶ.

FALLBROOK, Calif.—Erickson-Hall Construction Co. has successfully delivered the Fallbrook High School Vocational Arts Building 400, designed by Ruhnau Clarke Architects, for the Fallbrook Unified High School District. The celebratory ribbon-cutting was attended by personnel from the school district as well as the builders.����

This represents just one piece of a larger construction project at Fallbrook High that includes construction of a new Adult Transition Program Building and specialized classrooms for metal and auto shop courses. The upgrades are meant to ensure Fallbrook High continues to train the next generation for the jobs of tomorrow in an up-to-date learning environment.��

“Fallbrook Union High School District is proud to have worked with Erickson-Hall on this��transformative modernization of one of our Vocational Arts Buildings,” Ilsa Garza-Gonzalez, ��Superintendent of Fallbrook Union High School District, said of the work. “Through this project, we’ve created an optimal learning environment that will expand college and career opportunities for our students.”��

Added Mat Gates, President of Erickson-Hall Construction Co.: “We are honored for the opportunity to work with Fallbrook Union High School District on this project that will positively impact the future careers and lives of students at Fallbrook High School. We look forward to��continuing our partnership as we celebrate even more improvements to the high school���䲹����ܲ�.”��

Erickson-Hall, which has been a player in the Southern California construction market since 1998, boasts over $3 billion in K-12 and high education construction work in its portfolio. The firm offers such services as lease-leaseback, program management and design-build.����

The post SoCal High School Wraps Vocational Arts Building Revamps appeared first on 91��Ƶ.

The post SoCal High School Wraps Vocational Arts Building Revamps appeared first on 91��Ƶ.

INDIO, Calif.—Following a year of construction work, Erickson-Hall Construction Co. has successfully delivered the College of the Desert Childhood Development Center in the desert communities east of Greater Los Angeles. The contractor was present for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the 18,000-square-foot facility, which is now open. HMC Architects designed the center, which can host nearly 100 children and nearly 50 staff.

The center is home to two classrooms for toddlers as well as two preschool classrooms. The new center also offers an Early Childhood Education (ECE) classroom as well as observation spaces for College of the Desert students to learn more about how to properly run a learning environment for the children there.

In addition to construction of the facility itself, Erickson-Hall’s team also had to upgrade the site so that utilities are now underground, as well as demolish previously existing structures on the site. The contractor also installed new parking lots to help the school as its students and community continue an upward growth.

“We are honored to have been entrusted with overseeing construction of the College of the Desert Indio’s Childhood Development Center,” Mat Gates, president of Erickson-Hall, said of his firm’s work. “This project will have a long-lasting and positive impact on the children, faculty, college students and surrounding community members who will use these classrooms.

“Erickson-Hall is proud to have built a center that not only serves the next generation of teachers but is a functional and safe place for generations of children to come.”

Erickson-Hall has delivered more than $3.5 billion of construction work, much of which has been in the K-12 and higher education sectors. The company serves the construction market in the Southern California region from multiple offices.

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COVINA, Calif.—Erickson-Hall Construction Company is diving into Covina High School’s pool remodeling to bring the facility up to modern standards in terms of training, community usage and recreation.

Erickson-Hall will be replacing the entire pool and support equipment with an advanced pool and aluminum bleacher seats for 400. The contractor will also be adding LED lighting in the pool itself, as well as updating the scoreboard, installing new fencing and gates, renovating the paving and performing related below-grade utilities upgrades.

“The Covina High School Pool Remodel represents our dedication to providing state-of-the-art facilities that support the holistic development of our students,” said Dr. Elizabeth Eminhizer, superintendent of Covina-Valley Unified School District. “We are excited to be working with Erickson-Hall Construction Company on this initiative as it underscores both of our teams’ commitment to fostering vibrant educational environments where students can thrive both academically and athletically.”

“We are privileged to collaborate with Covina-Valley Unified School District on this transformative project,” added Mat Gates, President of Erickson-Hall. “The revitalized pool will serve as a hub for aquatic activities, promoting physical fitness, teamwork and community connection in Covina. We hope that this space exceeds expectations and enriches the lives of students and community members alike.”

The pool renovation work is expected to finish up by next winter.

Erickson-Hall’s portfolio of school-related construction projects includes $1.5 billion of K-12 and higher education work.

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HESPERIA, Calif.—General contractor Erickson-Hall Construction Co., along with designer DLR Group, has commenced work on the new Hesperia High School Event Center. The project for the Hesperia Unified School District involves crafting a ground-up 35,000-square-foot facility that will have space to host athletic competitions as well as other events. The district serves the High Desert community of Hesperia, encompassing children from some 140 square miles.

Inside the new Event Center will be a modern stage and 500 spectator seats. In addition to the public gathering space itself, the Event Center will also have classrooms, multi-use spaces and other facilities that will be useful to both the school and the surrounding community. On the outside, Erickson-Hall’s work encompasses re-landscaping the surrounding turf, relocating the school’s existing tennis courts and various other external site work.

The Event Center project is also aimed at equity, with the Hesperia Unified School District aiming to increase opportunities for students who might not have access to them otherwise. Accordingly, the district is making strides toward reaching out to students with disabilities, those who are still learning English, as well as students from low-income homes. Another key element of the district improvement plan is to ensure that mental-health services are part of the high school’s improvement.

Hesperia Unified School District Superintendent David Olney spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony of the collaboration the district enjoys with Erickson-Hall. Olney described the Event Center project as “transformative” for the entire student community.

“The Hesperia High School Event Center will be a cornerstone for academic and community growth, offering a dynamic space that fosters creativity, learning and engagement for both students and the wider community.”

“The Event Center is unique because it introduces a whole different avenue of opportunity for not just the students but also the community,” added president of Erickson-Hall Mat Gates. “The flex area is a prime example of this because it is a multi-functional space for the community to enjoy.

In a subsequent statement emailed to 91��Ƶ about the construction progress, Erickson-Hall Construction Project Executive David Irwin said the contractor has already achieved two significant milestones by demolishing the old tennis courts as well as prepping the replacement courts, which Irwin said will be ready for the upcoming season.

“After this rainy season, we look forward to getting the masonry and structural steel operations started,” Irwin said of the contractor’s work beyond the courts.

Erickson-Hall has successfully delivered $1.5 billion worth of both college and K-12 construction work. The firm offers such services as construction management, preconstruction, design-build and lease-lendback. A Southern California mainstay since 1998, Erickson-Hall operates from offices in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside and Imperial Counties.

“We are proud to deliver a facility that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of Hesperia Unified School District and the Hesperia community,” said Gates.

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IMPERIAL, Calif.—Imperial Valley College is celebrating the renovation of three campus buildings thanks to the work of Erickson-Hall Construction Co. and designer Sanders Inc.

Part of the work entailed replacing the older buildings’ roofing and interior systems.�� The contractor also worked on acoustic ceilings and other improvements meant to bring the school buildings into a more modern aesthetic and pave the way for later campus improvements.�� The contractors also had to demolish older building spaces so that the modernization to the three buildings to be updated could be completed.

“We appreciate the excellent work that was accomplished by Erickson-Hall,” Superintendent of Imperial Valley College Lennor Johnson said of the work.�� “The modernization of these three buildings is a great improvement and enhancement to our educational environment and student learning experience.”

“Erickson-Hall is thrilled to have partnered with the Imperial Valley College District in developing these new additions to the school,” added President of Erickson-Hall Mat Gates. “This modernization project reflects both Erickson-Hall’s and Imperial Community College District’s commitment to educational excellence.”

Erickson-Hall Construction Co. has over $2 billion in construction work to its credit, more than half of which is in the educational sector.

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