If all goes as planned, students across the Scottsbluff School District will be the beneficiaries of an upgraded auditorium by the start of the 2025-26 school year.
The SBPS Board of Education last week approved a $750,000 project to directly enhance the quality and functionality of the auditorium, which would provide long-term benefits to the school and community.
SHS Staff presented information on the school and community usage of the auditorium as well as the current condition of the auditorium which seats 913 people and is the largest performance venue in the Panhandle. With 100% of students in grades 3-12 taking part in some sort of educational programming in the auditorium as well as an average of 120 Elementary Students, 272 BMS Students, and 377 High School students each school year who participate in fine arts performances held there, the auditorium serves as one of the most utilized spaces across the entire district.
The proposed improvement project would include aisle lighting, a cloud ceiling system, paint, wall and floor finishes, new stage stairs, improved ADA access, a new sound system, and lighting controls, and a second set of doors to the entrance. The projected cost of the improvements has been estimated at $700K with the Foundation actively fundraising to provide 50% of the expense with the other half being funded from the District’s Depreciation and QCPUF (Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund) funds. The Foundation formed a volunteer committee of community members who will be holding a fundraising event “A Night To Remember” on October 12.
Upon completion of the presentation, the Board voted to approve the scope of the Auditorium Improvement Project as presented. Contingent upon the completion of Foundation Fundraising, bids for the project will be released in early January 2025, with a recommendation to award a bid at the February 2025 regular meeting and improvements scheduled to be completed in the Summer of 2025.
