SAN MARCOS, CA (January 30, 2026) – Palomar College celebrated a major construction milestone for its Athletic Fieldhouse at the San Marcos campus with a Topping Off Ceremony and Beam Signing.  Over 100 Palomar College and Balfour Beatty employees joined community members and representatives from elected office for the event at 1140 West Mission Road in San Marcos.

The Athletics Fieldhouse, delivered by Balfour Beatty and designed by HMC Architects, is scheduled to open in fall 2026. The new building is designed to elevate the game-day experience for Palomar Comet fans, and features a box office, concessions, weight rooms, and restrooms. Beyond the fan experience, the building will house modernized office spaces for coaches and specialized facilities for athletic trainers and student-athletes.

Palomar College Governing Board President Dr. Holly Hamilton-Bleakley welcomed attendees and Interim Superintendent/President Dr. Tina Recalde presided over the ceremony.  Speaking to the many employees from both Palomar and Balfour Beatty, Dr. Recalde stated, “today represents countless hours of planning and the dedication of incredibly talented people.  When we open, our student athletes, coaches, employees, and Palomar Comet fans will be eternally grateful to all of you.” 

Commenting on the milestone, Tyler Steele, Balfour Beatty Project Executive in California said, “topping out the Palomar College Athletics Fieldhouse is a proud moment for our project team and partners. The collaboration between our construction and design teams, alongside Palomar’s athletics and academic leaders, has been instrumental in driving this project forward. We are grateful to our local trade partners and our teammates for their dedication in bringing this facility to life and reinforcing our commitment to building exceptional higher education spaces that will support student-athletes for years to come.”

Palomar College currently serves 29,000 students at its San Marcos campus, and three education centers in Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, and Fallbrook. Students can choose from over 250 associate degree and certificate programs, get career training, or enjoy personal enrichment classes. Palomar College is currently accepting applications for its Bachelor of Science degree in Building Performance and Environmental Design, which will start in Fall 2026.