REMODELING OF JACKSON AUDITORIUM PLANNED

JACKSON -- Plans to reclaim the former beauty of the Jackson High School auditorium could be put into action as early as this summer.

In August 1997 a committee was organized to develop a plan for refurbishing the auditorium, which originally was part of an elementary school built as a Work Projects Administration project in 1938. The group prioritized a list of projects that would modernize the 563-seat theater while maintaining its original architectural features.

"We've designed a plan that will get most of the work in two or possibly three phases," said Dr. Howard Jones, Jackson schools superintendent.

Jones said work will begin on the auditorium this summer. The oak paneling and golden-veined Ste. Genevieve marble in the lobby of the auditorium will be restored as will a seldom-used ticket booth that contains marble and oak accents.

Ornate bas-relief designs and decorative vent coverings found throughout the auditorium also will be preserved.

Auditorium seats will be removed and sent away to be painted, refinished and padded when the first phase of the Jackson renovation project begins this summer. While the seats are gone, the walls and ceiling will be stripped and repainted, and new lighting, flooring, stage curtains and electrical wiring will be put in.

Diffusers will be added in anticipation of air conditioning that could be installed in the second phase of the project in the summer of 2000. New stage lighting and sound systems also would be added in phase two of the renovation project.

"The seating is the most pricey element of this plan," said Jones. "The rest of the project is more labor intensive. Air conditioning is not a mandatory element, but I do think it's something that should be considered as we're developing this project."

The estimated cost of the project is $146,000. Jones said a fund-raising committee is being organized to schedule events to fund the project. Members of the community also will be asked to donate the time, funding and equipment needed for the project.

The Cape Girardeau School District completed a similar remodeling project in its auditorium in 1995. Some of the funding for that project, which cost more than $65,000, was collected by having community members adopt auditorium chairs.

Jones said a similar sponsorship program is being planned in Jackson.

"This is a project that, once we get it completed, I believe will be a benefit to the district and the community," he said. "I believe it will be a building that will be of use for school events and for those sponsored by organizations in the community."

Jackson auditorium renovation plan

Preliminary budget estimates:

Painting walls and ceiling, $3,000

House lights, $3,000

Restoration of seating, $65,000

Stage curtains, $9,000

Stage lights, $10,000

Sound system, $11,000

Air conditioning, $35,000

Contingency, $10,000

TOTAL: $146,000

First phase:

-- Remove all seating and ship for refurbishing and repair.

-- Remove all added acoustical treatment.

-- Remove stage curtains.

-- Remove asbestos tile floor.

-- Paint walls and ceiling.

-- Replace electrical service and appropriate wiring.

-- Purchase and install new house lighting and controls.

-- Install diffusers for future air conditioning.

-- Replace aisle flooring with carpet or tile.

-- Install refurbished seating.

-- Replace stage curtains.

Future phases:

-- Replace stage lighting.

-- Add sound system.

-- Add air conditioning.