Despite delays and setbacks, remediation and a recent flood caused by a water heater leak, the newly constructed Greenwich High School Performing Arts Center received its Temporary Certificate of Occupancy on Thursday, allowing for the use of the performance areas.
According to a statement from the Board of Education, classes have been held on the stage and in the support spaces for the past two weeks, but this latest approval opens the seating areas in the new auditorium.
“Quality performing arts has long been synonymous with Greenwich. We now have a performance space that allows our student groups to properly showcase their talents,” said Dr. William McKersie, Superintendent of Greenwich Public Schools in a statement.
A ribbon cutting ceremony and student concert will be held on Wednesday, October 7, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The ribbon cutting ceremony participants include First Selectman Peter Tesei, Board of Education Chair Barbara O’Neill, Superintendent of Schools Bill McKersie, GHS Headmaster Chris Winters, and members of the MISA Building Committee.
Immediately following the ceremony, families and Town officials have been invited to performances by the GHS Band, Orchestra, Choir, Electronic Music, and Theater Programs.
Designed by Perkins+Will to meet LEED Silver standards, the 35,000 square foot Performing Arts Center features tiered, 1,325-seat multi-purpose auditorium that can showcase the variety of programming offered at GHS and will be a resource for the Greenwich community. The Performing Arts Center will support musical and dramatic theater, choral, band and orchestra groups, dance performances, and movie and speaker presentations. The PAC also includes an orchestra pit, a set design room, green room, two dressing rooms, piano, prop and costume storage rooms, and a large galleria entrance. The new building is fully WiFi enabled.
The Performing Arts Center was designed to provide a more flexible, multipurpose space appropriate for the high school, improve acoustics, and meet State guidelines on seating capacity. An acoustical engineer, David Greenberg of Creative Acoustics, was involved throughout the design and construction of the project to identify and implement the many elements impacting acoustics.
The Performing Arts Center under construction, July 2014. Credit: Leslie Yager
The Performing Arts Center under construction, July 2014. Credit: Leslie Yager
The Performing Arts Center under construction, July 2014. Credit: Leslie Yager
The HVAC systems were designed to minimize background noise through duct placement, low velocity airflow, and vibration isolation. Acoustical elements include an orchestra shell, forestage reflector, millwork, sound doors, roof detailing that allays rain impact noise, and adjustable acoustic curtains which serve to optimize performer acoustics and allow for the widest dynamic range.
Dr. Chris Winters, Headmaster of Greenwich High School, said, “A new Performing Arts Center has been something our entire community has looked forward to. I thank the Town of Greenwich for building this amazing space, and our students, staff, parents, and neighbors for their support, cooperation, and patience during this process. I think I speak for all involved when I say how excited I am for the opportunities this venue offers our renowned music and theater arts programs.”
GHS newly constructed in 1971 Compass yearbook.
Originally constructed in 1970, the GHS Auditorium was undersized and did not match the acoustic abilities of the many programs that it housed. The BOE developed educational specifications in 2007 to identify the attributes of a facility required to support its programming. This included increasing the seating capacity from 860 seats, which was below the state guideline to accommodate half the student body. In June 2008, the Music Instructional Space and Auditorium “MISA” Building Committee was formed. Construction of the building commenced in July 2013, after experiencing a two year delay due to the discovery of contaminated soils and the required site remediation. The total project budget is $46 million. The Town of Greenwich has received $4 million in state reimbursement to date. Donations from the Campaign for MISA are expected to contribute $1 million to offset the Town’s expenditures.
See also:
MISA Offers the Wow! Factor at GHS: PHOTO TOUR of New Auditorium and Instructional Space
MISA Takes Shape. Visualize the Auditorium Stage and the Seating. Remediation Continues.