ENCINITAS —— An undetermined number of architects will receive $10,000 apiece from the San Dieguito Union High School District to develop design proposals for a performing arts complex at San Dieguito Academy, officials said Monday.

The architects will each develop a plan and a model that will be evaluated by trustees, residents and a jury of design professionals, said Steve Ma, the district's executive director of business services.

While the performing arts center probably won't be done for at least three years, Ma said, he expects trustees to pick a design within six months.

Ma said that because the theater will be heavily utilized by the public, the district elected to embark on a design process that would include feedback from residents, adding that a contest might also help generate community contributions.

Academy Principal Don Rizzi said a performing arts center would mean a great deal to the nearly 70-year-old campus, where music students often have to practice in the student center or cafeteria, and hold concerts at La Costa Canyon High School's 450-seat theater.

The academy has a performance space —— a small, black-box theater that hosts a number of productions each year —— although that facility isn't on the same level as theaters at other district high schools, Rizzi said.

Construction of the new theater is part of a master plan for the Encinitas high school, and it would cost the district $30 million to $40 million to complete all the projects outlined in the plan, Ma said.

The first phase of the plan was finished last summer, when crews expanded and resurfaced parking lots, demolished the library and replaced aging sewer, plumbing, gas and electrical lines.

Construction of a new library and media center at the 1,500-student high school will probably begin this summer, Ma said, adding that he expects the facility to open in early 2006.

The performing arts center will cost several million dollars, Ma said, adding that the exact price tag will depend on the center's size and style.

Officials still don't know if the theater will be an intimate room with black walls, a round stage surrounded by seats, or a traditional theater with an orchestra pit and spacious lobby, or even what type of classrooms, storage space or rehearsal areas the center might include. Many of those details will be worked out during the design process.

"I'm very, very excited about looking at the different things that are going to come out of this (design process)," Ma said.

Competition advisor William Liskamm will give a presentation on the theater-design contest to trustees at their meeting Thursday. Trustees agreed last month to pay Liskamm $25,000 to run the competition.

The board meets 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the district office, 710 Encinitas Blvd.

Contact staff writer Ben Frumin at (760) 943-2313 or bfrumin@nctimes.com.