Second in a series
Re “Johnson Evaluates the Value of Bond Planning Session”
With the School District’s outside architects having sketched preliminary plans for upgrading the Robert Frost Auditorium for $2 million, the prolific activist Todd Johnson was asked where the Frost ranks on his priority list.
“Whenever we talk about issuing a bond,” said Mr. Johnson, “naturally we are going to talk about health and safety first.
“If there are safety issues at the Frost, they need to be at the top of my list. I have spent a lot of time in there, and I have volunteered at most of the schools.”
Two evenings ago, Asst. Supt. Mike Reynolds said at the School Board meeting: “We are poised to have our architects proceed with drawing up the schematic plans to provide (the construction company) Balfour Beatty with the basis for calculating the costs for each of three components, an HVAC (air) system, stage improvements and back-of-the-house improvements.”
Retooling the air system is expected to gobble up $1.5 million of the $2 million budget.
“There is a problem with air handling at the Frost,” Mr. Johnson said. “I would say the difference is between a Needs Assessment and a Facilities Master Plan.
“I have been in the Black Box Theatre, when it is 65 degrees outside and 85 degrees inside. That tells me, in that particular moment, you don’t necessarily need air conditioning and all the power consumption that comes with running a compressor to cool that room. You need air handling.”
How do we know there are 1800 seats in the Frost?
Known for his precision, Mr. Johnson said he has “personally counted all of the seats to see what damages have occurred in five different categories. Eighteen hundred is large for a theatre in this area. Not even Sony is that large.”
Regarding the importance of the Frost, Mr. Johnson said there is no doubt. “It is iconic for our campus, the one building all the students use.
“Next year, it will hit its 50-year threshold, which allows it to qualify for additional funding through a modernization grant.”
(To be continued)
