Madras HS plans dazzling performance center
At BBT Architects in Bend, big plans are in the works.
“These projects came at the perfect time for us, and we’re really excited about what it means, for us and Madras,” BBT Principal Architect Renee Alexander said Wednesday.
Last spring, Jefferson County voters approved a $26.7 million bond for district wide improvements. One of the largest investments will be made at Madras High School.
“Our hope as architects is that we do something that raises the spirit of the place,” said Don Steve,s another principal architect at BBT.
School officials promise the Performing Arts Center, known as the PAC, will be state of the art.
“It’s going to be amazing. Iit’s going to give our kids an opportunity that they’ve never had in this district,” said Darryl Smith, HD director at the Jefferson County School District.
While the designs are in the very early stages, Stevens showed NewsChannel 21 where the estimated 18,000-square-foot facility will sit on the campus.
“This might move forward, this might move back, but basically the PAC will remain the same,” Stevens, explaining the details.
Even with the bond money allocated to the project, work is still being done to pinch pennies.
“Part of the bond included athletic facilities upgrades, and so if we can have some shared spaces, that can save us in the overall cost,” said Smith.
But the amenities won’t be sacrificed. The new facility will have a large stage, movie-star worthy dressing rooms and places where students can put on makeup for plays.
“There’s no drama club right now, a little choir and a band that’s there, but not large,” Stevens said. “But I think with this facility, people will be proud of it and glad to be a part of it.”
It’s an exciting time for the entire Madras community, but also for the Bend architect firm working to make all their dreams come true.
The PAC is a big part of the planned improvements in Jefferson County schools, but there’s still no date on when they might break ground on the project. School officials tell us many of the other upgrades to schools will revolve around keeping students safe.
