- November 14, 2024
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The last time the Flagler Auditorium had any major structural upgrades was about 12 years ago, and it's due for new ones, Director Lisa McDevitt told School Board members at a May 3 workshop. It may soon get them: The auditorium just got a $500,000 matching grant.
McDevitt isn't yet sure exactly what the changes will look like, in part, she said, because the auditorium's board isn't certain what its foundation can hold. But proposed changes include expansions for the lobby — bringing it to a capacity of 500 people instead of the current 150 — additional office and concession space and improvements for the stage and the workshop area, and for the auditorium's bathrooms.
School District Superintendent Jacob Oliva suggested bringing in an engineer or architect who specializes in performing arts buildings for the design.
"We have been, over the last several years, looking at ways to enhance the auditorium as an experience for the patrons and also to make it part of our premier, state-of-the-art facility that we want to maintain, not only for our community, but for these dreams that our students have as they go though the learning experiences that are afforded to them," Oliva said.
The auditorium has had recent, more minor upgrades that involved replacing the stage floor, switching to LED lighting and adding a 30-foot by 10-foot outdoor digital marquee. Because the matching grant requirements count any money spent on upgrades over the past five years as eligible to cover the matching portion of the grant, the district is well on its way to meeting the match, Oliva said.
The auditorium could also apply for the grant again next year, which would mean being prepared to come up with another match.
Receiving the money and having the ability to apply for more, Oliva said, "is what I would consider a good problem — but it’s also the reality that we need to come up with a plan."
The proposed upgrades would be phase two of a three-phase project; the marquee and other upgrades already completed were phase one. Proposed phase three changes include adding rehearsal spaces for band, drama and choral programs, and adding culinary arts facilities and conference facilities.
