LAGUNA HILLS

A 40-foot hole and mountain of dirt at the site of the city’s future $22.5-million community center and sports complex, at Paseo de Valencia and Alicia Parkway, represents the challenge engineers are facing on the project. Contractors say the fact that they are working next to two storm drains, where thousands of gallons of water flow daily, is making this first stage of the project a difficult one.

The contractors must excavate to bedrock to build a solid foundation. But the water flow has to be controlled before work can progress. Thus, a diversion channel to handle the overflow, a 24-hour pumping system and a reinforced concrete box structure have been installed to facilitate the project.