November 8, 2005 > New performing arts center planned

by Rick La Plante

The New Haven Unified School District Board of Education got its first look Tuesday night at plans for a Performing Arts Center at James Logan High School.

Construction is scheduled to start in June 2007 on the long-anticipated facility, which will include a 625-seat, 28,000-square-foot theater, more than 19,000 square feet of instructional space, a green room and all necessary infrastructure for theatrical performances.

The theater will cost an estimated $14.2 million, and the instructional space is priced at an estimated $7.4 million. Funds will come from Measure A, a $120 million facilities bond passed by District voters in 2003.

"This is one of the projects that the District promised voters that we would do with their money, and we plan to do it right,'' Superintendent Dr. Pat Jaurequi said. ``Our goal is to build a first-class facility, worthy of the District's tradition of excellence in performing arts, and at the same time provide an invaluable asset to the community. We have a chance to do something special here, and we want to take advantage of it."