Santee Community Center Enters Main Construction Phase; Water Facility Nears Milestone
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The Santee Community Center project officially transitioned into Phase 2 this month, moving from the parking lot build-out in front of the Cameron Family YMCA and Santee Aquatics Center to construction of the main building itself. The two-story, 12,500-square-foot structure at 10129 Riverwalk Drive is slated for active construction through September 2027, with a projected public opening in November 2027.
The transition carries immediate practical consequences for families. YMCA Summer Camps have been relocated to the Rio Seco site for the duration of Phase 2, and the YMCA footbridge remains closed. Families planning to attend the Santee Salutes — America 250 July 4th celebration at Town Center Community Park East — should note that the footbridge closure affects standard pedestrian access routes to that area.
The $950 million East County Advanced Water Purification Program, built north of Santee Lakes, is also approaching a key milestone. Program Director Mark Niemiec confirmed in a spring update that all buildings are complete, the majority of mechanical equipment is installed, and lab finalization is underway. Niemiec indicated actual wastewater would be brought onto the site 'sometime this summer,' setting the stage for an anticipated late-2026 go-live. When fully operational, the facility will supply up to 11.5 million gallons of purified drinking water per day to roughly 400,000 East County residents. Pipeline construction continues along Mast Boulevard in Santee and Mapleview Street in Lakeside.