The Island Trees School District celebrated the renovation of its high school auditorium with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held during the district's holiday concerts earlier this month. The auditorium renovation included new seating, acoustical treatment, state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems as well as air conditioning.

The high school auditorium was first constructed in 1957 and due to careful maintenance, still contained all of the original seats, wiring, floor tile, sound system and lighting board. However, even with maintenance, after nearly five decades of constant use, the auditorium was showing its wear and replacement parts for sound, lighting and seats was getting difficult to find.

In December 2001, residents of the school district supported a $3.5 million bond referendum to fund several capital projects within the district, including the renovation of the auditorium. Other projects included the replacement of the roof at the Karopczyc building, the replacement of the high school cinder track with an all-weather rubber track, the replacement of asbestos floor tile and replacement of ceiling tile and lighting in the halls of both of the district's elementary schools. The completion of the auditorium renovation was the final project to be done under the bond issue.

The renovated auditorium was first used for the Sparke School Choral Concert in early December, followed by three other concerts, which included the Stokes School chorus, middle school band, orchestra, chorus and jazz band; as well as the high school band, orchestra, chorus and jazz band. The community choir also performed in the new auditorium as part of the district's holiday concert season.

The renovated auditorium contains state-of-the-art theatrical lighting supported by a computerized lighting board that can be operated from several locations. Newly renovated theater chairs are comfortable and covered by burgundy fabric. Redesigned acoustical panels throughout the theater complement the new sound system. A 24 channel mixing board in the auditorium rivals mixing boards in some of the best college theaters. The auditorium also has a new roof and contains an air conditioning system that will allow students and parents to enjoy the concerts even during hotter months.

During the ribbon-cutting celebration, District Music Director Peter Gibbons expressed his appreciation and thanks to Superintendent Richard N. Segerdahl, members of the board of education and the entire community for their support of the arts in Island Trees.