Chartiers Valley could renovate auditorium as part of high school project

Chartiers Valley School District Superintendent Brian White was, by a unanimous vote, directed by the board at Tuesdays meeting to engage in preliminary discussion with district architects for renovations to the high school auditorium.

Roughly speaking we guesstimate it would be $3.5 million, for the upgrades, Mr. White told the board.

The district has been working with Downtown-based IKM, Inc and Oregon and Washington-based BLRB Architects to renovate its 486,000-square-foot high school/middle school complex. The scope of the design work thus far has included some attention to the 1,200-seat auditorium - mainly connecting a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system and sprinkler systems.

With its vote the board authorized the districts administration to begin a preliminary design discussion with the architects for further renovations to the auditorium like upgrades to the lighting, sound, stage, seating and backstage area.

We would like them (the architects) to engage the performing arts community for input, Mr. White said.

Greg McCracken of BLRB, who was in attendance at the meeting, said during preliminary design phases on the high school/middle school project there was a discussion with teachers from the music and arts department of the desire for auditorium renovations.

Mr. White said if the board decides to pursue the renovation to the auditorium the district could, when the high school/middle school project goes out to bid, put it in the bid specs as an add-alternate.

If the districts move forward with the auditorium renovation, it would incur a 5 percent design fee from its architects. If the estimate remains at $3.5 million that would mean a $175,000 cost to the district.

Deana Carpenter, freelance writer: suburbanliving@post-gazette.com.

View original post here:
Chartiers Valley could renovate auditorium as part of high school project