Perkiomen Valley SD staff propose $1.3M auditorium backbone overhaul; administrators may seek bond or DCED funds

Facilities staff told the Safety & Operations Committee that East and West auditorium critical infrastructure is original to the buildings and showing increasing failure. A vendor budgetary figure for upgrading backbone audiovisual and rigging systems at both East and West came back at roughly $1,300,000.

Mister Ganesh outlined a three-year phased approach. He said phase 1 would focus on immediate safety and reliability items, including replacing failing house lights, improving runway and stage lighting, adding stage monitors so directors can hear onstage sound, and updating wireless microphone systems. "The number was close, like, $1,300,000," Ganesh said when summarizing the vendor estimate for both auditoriums.

Committee members debated phasing and equity between East and West. Staff said East is older and carries heavier usage, so it was prioritized for earlier work; some members pushed to handle critical safety lighting in both spaces in the first phase to avoid prolonged unsafe conditions on West’s stage.

Administrators discussed funding mechanisms: pairing auditorium projects with an ESCO bond package, pursuing DCED grant funding that requires a 25% local match, and using contingency/reserve funds where prudent. The committee agreed staff should refine the cost breakdown and bring the proposed phased plan to the full board in June for consideration.

If approved, staff said they would try to minimize downtime and keep at least one auditorium operational during upgrades. The presentation also explored smaller fundraising and booster contributions for nonessential items such as curtains and scenic rentals.