Capistrano Valley High School Foundation Supporting the Cougar Community for Today and Tomorrow

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Performing Arts Center

UPDATE:

On August 24, 2010 the CUSD Board of Trustees voted to put out to bid construction of the CVHS Performing Arts Centre. Bids are expected back for approval October 26, 2010. Groundbreaking is expected January 2011. Completion of the project is expected May 2012.

In June 2008 the District began exploring a concept for a new performing arts theatre on the campus of CVHS. The need to develop this plan originated from the application and approval of the Career Technical Education (CTE) grant that was awarded in the spring of 2008. The future CTE grant amounts to $3 million and stipulates the detailed program requirements that must be included as part of the theatre design. During the summer of 2008 a committee was formed among District staff and parent volunteers and several meeting were held to finalize the components of the proposed theatre.

In Fall 2008, the Board authorized District staff to move into the design phase of the theatre project by awarding an architectural contract to prepare construction drawings and to represent the District through the completion of construction. Additionally, at that time, the Board authorized an agreement for environmental consultant service to complete the necessary environmental documentation. In 2009, the design of the proposed theatre was finalized which triggered the environmental research and documentation efforts leading to the completion and circulation of the "Mitigated Negative Declaration and Initial Study for the CVHS Performing Arts Facility." In November and December of 2009, a separate report was prepared and approved by the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC), as required by the State.

The completed Mitigated Negative Declaration Resolution No, 0910-52 was adopted by the CUSD trustees at the March 9, 2010 meeting.

The theatre design is 21,850 square feet and includes:

Theatre with stage, seating, lobby, ticket booth, concession, control room, orchestra area
Black Box Theatre with performance room, dressing rooms, faculty office
Production/Recording Lab with faculty office
Sound and Light Lab with band room, instrument storage, uniform storage, choral room, choir robe storage area, practice rooms, faculty offices and music library
Stagecraft Area with stage scenery shop, prop storage, state restrooms, and faculty office

A Performing Arts Center was prioritized as the #1 need in the Facility Needs Assessment by the committee which included parents, staff and the architects staff. This building will include classrooms to accommodate band, choir and dance, freeing class room space and allow expansion of photography/video programs. The committee believes the addition of this much needed building will solve many of the facility problems at CVHS such as the need for student restrooms to meet state minimum requirements and freeing up space in the main building so aged and unhealthy portables can be removed. In addition, the time custodial staff must spend setting up and tearing down events will be spent cleaning the school thus leading to a healthier environment.

Funding for the Performing Arts Center has been identified as local tax funds raised by the taxation of CUSD Mission Viejo taxpayers in the form of Mello Roos taxes.