San Juan Hills has a new neighbor: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Over the summer, The LDS Church began construction on Stallion Ridge, closing the infamous “mud-lot” to officially break ground.

The construction and development has been in progress for over 4 years, and the majority of that time has spent planning and finalizing permits involved with construction.  Over the summer, talks finally turned to action, and the church gated off the construction zone to start building.

In previous years, there had been much talk about whether or not SJHHS students would have access to the rather

large parking lot soon to emerge just feet from the school.

“There is an agreement with the School District that the parking lot will be available for all students when not in use by the church,” said Robyn Robinson, the Director of Public Affairs for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for the San Clemente Stake.

“The church is “open to all faiths. The building will be used for early morning (6:00 am) seminary for Freshman-Seniors to make friends and compliment their education. It will also have evening events for Young Men and Young Women activities and scouting meetings,” Robinson said.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints hopes to maintain keep a friendly, accommodating relationship with the students and families of San Juan Hills High School.

Robinson says that the projected completion of the church will be in August 2019.