Despite the layer of grimness that has been hanging over some portions of the community since the original bond drive nosedived three months ago, upbeat Mike Reynolds, the School District’s assistant superintendent for business, delivered an optimistic update on four capital projects that also once roiled the community.
[img]1705|right|Mike Reynolds||no_popup[/img]With the state of the venerable Robert Frost Auditorium awaiting a clinching strategy approval, Mr. Reynolds said that the athletic field, now Jerry Chabola Stadium, should be 100 percent finished within days. Final touches need to be applied, but every device and area is available.
Some structural wrinkles have developed during installation of the solar panels, notably the photovoltaic panels. “They should be back on track shortly,” Mr. Reynolds said, “and completed near the end of the month.”
The Division of the State Architect has proved plans for the elevator installations to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. “Running within the next six months,” Mr. Reynolds predicted.
That leaves the 49-year-old Frost Auditorium and three stages of upgrade, installing an HVAC system in one of the largest indoor venues in this area, improvements to the stage and what are being called back-of-the-house improvements.
Two million dollars has been allotted for the Frost, and $1.5 million will be consumed by the air system.
The athletic field changes cost $4.85 million, elevators $1.3 million, solar panels $3.8 million – and that is how you can spend more than $12 million in one sweeping upgrade.
