San Diego

Sinkholes Surround Holy Family Catholic Church and School in Linda Vista

Holy Family Parish Leaders fear these sink holes could seriously injure someone

The parking lot and playground of Holy Family Catholic Church and School in Linda Vista is plagued with sinkholes.

The church is located on the 1900 block of Coolidge Street, near Tait Street.

Three sinkholes have formed along the path of the repaired storm drain, which surrounds the church and runs under the center of the parking lot. The problem is getting worse, according to the church.

Church and school administrators told NBC 7 Thursday that the largest sink hole has grown exponentially in just the last two days and, unless something is done fast, it could be a serious accident waiting to happen.

About 100 kids, pre-school through 8th grade are enrolled at the school. They use the parking lot for recess, P.E., basketball and volleyball practice.

Currently, two large steel plates cover the collapse of a section of parking lot.

"The edges are obviously very unstable,” Principal Erica Stevens said.

Stevens added the sinkholes follow the storm drain repair City of San Diego did at the beginning of the school year.

"Sometimes a ball will go over here or a piece of equipment and their initial reaction is to run over and get it," Stevens said.

During church and other events, dozens of cars fill up the lot.

"We don't know if it is the pipe or what's happening, with all the rain," Parishioner Ed Williams said.

Williams said he is just as concerned with an 18-inch depression that recently formed on Coolidge Street in front of the church. Scratch marks indicate some cars are bottoming out.

"I went through it once or twice but I was lucky enough not to damage my car," Williams said.

Meanwhile, the church said the city and subcontractor hired to do the drain work are fighting over the responsibility of repairing it.

"It's difficult and frustrating that this has been going on for over a year," Stevens said.

A city spokesperson told NBC 7 they are aware of the situation and are working with the subcontractor hired to do the drain work to come back and fix these problems.

The city expects the work to be finished by the end of next week.

Contact Us