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Adding an auditorium and performing arts center to Warsaw Community High School were popular proposals Monday at Warsaw School Board's work session at Edgewood Middle School.
Board member Charles Sauders said he supports building a performing arts center and auditorium at the high school, "which should have been done 12 years ago. Let's do it right this time."
WCHS band director Martin Becker told the board that WCHS is the only high school in the Northern Lakes Conference without an auditorium, and is the 25th largest high school in the state but the only one in the top 50 without an auditorium.
He cited accessibility problems with using Lakeview Middle School's auditorium, as well as lost instructional time, lack of storage space and damage to equipment by moving it repeatedly between schools.
Approximately one-third of the students at the high school are in art, music, theater, public speaking and broadcasting, he said. The performing arts are an integral part of a quality education, he said, and the proposed auditorium "should not be looked upon as a new project but one that's finally being completed from 15 years ago."
Students and parents also told the board that a performing arts center would be able to host community events, and that arts education helps students develop discipline, teamwork and interpersonal skills and learn creativity and self-confidence.
The proposed auditorium would have 850 seats on the main floor and 350 seats in a balcony or mezzanine. The balcony could be closed off and used for meetings, lectures or large group instruction.
The auditorium/performing arts center also would include an orchestra pit in the auditorium, dressing rooms, scene shop, storage areas, lobby and a display area for student art and awards.
Proposed cost for the auditorium is $7.5 million; the performing arts center is estimated at $6.4 million, but school superintendent Dr. Lee Harman's proposal is to finance the performing arts center separately and use only funds raised from private donations.
A new wrestling and weight room also is included in the proposal, at a cost of approximately $2 million, and WCHS faculty member Scott Erba said the current room was built for use by 20 to 24 students and is used by 30 to 33 students in each class.
The lack of ventilation in the room causes condensation on walls, mirrors and floors, he said, creating a dangerous environment for students.
The goal of the fitness program is to help students build a strong base for lifelong fitness, health, interests and skills, Erba said. It is not used exclusively by athletes but by the entire student body, he said.
The facility also could be used by the community during off-school hours.
School board members are Craig Allebach, Brad Brail, Larry Chamberlain, Cathy Folk, James Folk, Charles Sauders and Roy Szymanski.
The next regular board meeting is at 7 p.m. Nov. 19.
