Students and staff at West Ranch and Golden Valley high schools are happy to be using their newly completed performing arts centers, which were dedicated in recent ceremonies with performances that clearly showed off the state-of-the-art visual equipment and surround sound technologies incorporated into the design.

The auditoriums will be used by performing arts groups from both schools including drama, music ensembles, choral groups, and special music groups. The theaters also will support career technical education in lighting, sound and stagecraft technology.

Both facilities were funded by a combination of State construction funds, local Measure V General Obligation Bonds, and Proposition 1D State Career Technical Education funds.  Both facilities provide seating for 535 guests in theater seating that provides excellent viewing from every seat.

Stage lighting and sound are controlled from a technical booth or can be controlled remotely on the stage.  Motorized stage rigging that includes digital controls provides maximum efficiency and flexibility in set design and special effects.   The auditoriums contain a generous stage area, a set construction shop, lobby and restrooms in addition to the technical booth.

These improvements complete the auditorium buildings which were constructed in 2004 at Golden Valley and 2005 at West Ranch and lacked interior improvements.  The Hart District elected to defer the interior improvements until additional funds were identified.

Anticipated final costs will be $4.6 million for the combined projects at both schools.  Bernard’s provided construction management services for the project.  The architects were Santa Barbara-based Phillips Metsch Sweeney Moore Architects and construction management was provided by Bernard’s of San Fernando.

The Hart District will soon begin planning for two more auditoriums, one at Saugus High and the other at Canyon High.  These two planned facilities will be funded through Measure SA and developer mitigation funds.  The auditorium at Hart High School will be updated as part of Measure SA, Phase 2.