The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) is currently in the process of trying to buy a section of land on the corner of La Pata and Vista Montana.

If the deal goes through, the LDS church will construct a church building on the lot. The lot on the corner of La Pata and Vista Montana is not actually owned by SJHHS, so the church will not be required to let students park there. However, the construction of the church must first be approved by the city council. The city council disapproved of an apartment complex for the section of land a few years ago, so it is not guaranteed that they will approve of the church.

Principal Tom Ressler expressed his feelings regarding the possible LDS building, saying, “my experience with the Mormon church is positive. They have always been very good neighbors for schools. I know that the nice thing about it is that it’s not going to be a school and it’s not going to be used on a daily basis where we are going to have interference with traffic.”

If built there would be early seminary in the morning, a Mormon program that takes place for 45 minutes every morning at an LDS church. If this building is built, the LDS students could attend at the new building which could help traffic overall for the school in the mornings.

Currently at SJHHS, there are 589 parking spots for students. While the mandatory parking for students at the possible new church building is just a rumor, Mr. Ressler said that they would talk with the church about possible parking deals if the building is built.

“The property is in escrow,” said Jim Reardon, CUSD Trustee.