San Benito Consolidated Independent School District trustees on Monday received a schematic-design and budget update for a new performing arts center from D Wilson Construction and design partner ERO.

Aaron Hanley of D Wilson Construction told the board the plan is for a 900-seat auditorium with a fully functional fly tower, a modified orchestra pit with removable front-row seating and a multipurpose lobby that can host dinner events for up to 100 people. Hanley said the project is approximately 30,996 gross square feet and includes rehearsal rooms, dressing rooms, a scene shop and ancillary spaces.

"It became important to the project to include a fully functional fly tower," Hanley said, explaining the fly tower allows theatrical rigging and scene changes. He added that adding the tower required an additional line-item cost to the original budget.

Gabriel Herrera of ERO walked trustees through the floor plan and site plan, noting the building would be sited near Veterans Memorial Academy to use existing parking and some chilled-water capacity. Herrera described removable seating in the first three rows to accommodate the orchestra pit and pointed to rehearsal and scene-shop access directly connected to the stage.

Presenters told the board the project moved from an initial budget figure cited as $22,000,006.85 and that a line-item labeled "1.227" was added to include the fly tower; the presentation cited a current project figure of $24,000,001.62. Hanley described the current materials as schematic-level and subject to change.

The team outlined a phased approach to construction: issue a site package targeted for December 12, bid site utilities and the building pad, begin site work in mid-January, and start building construction in June 2026. Hanley said the district should expect roughly 18 to 20 months of building construction, putting completion in early 2028 if the schedule holds.

Superintendent Alfredo Perez thanked the team and said the district looks forward to a facility that highlights student performers and serves community events. The board did not take an action to approve final design or construction documents at the meeting; the presentation was given for review and direction.

Provenance: Presentation and Q&A, SEG 385 through SEG 776.