Girard school board hires architect to design performing arts center

Staff report

GIRARD

The Girard school board approved an agreement with the AXIOM Architects LLC to design the performance arts center that will be attached to Girard High School.

District Treasurer Mark Zuppo said the board chose to hire AXIOM, located in Youngstown, because it’s trustworthy. AXIOM’s portfolio includes designing Boardman High School’s Performing Arts Center.

Expenses for the firm’s services are not to exceed $600,000, according to the agreement.

Zuppo estimates the center will cost about $4.5 million, but said it could increase or decrease as plans become finalized.

Zuppo said the district will use all available funds, including the district’s capital improvement fund, before using the general fund for the center.

He added there aren’t any grants from the state available at the moment, but he is talking to state Rep. Glenn Holmes of McDonald, D-63rd, about trying to find money in the state’s capital budget.

He emphasized the project will come at no extra expense for taxpayers.

Zuppo would like to see the project break ground during spring next year.

The board has been discussing the idea of a performing arts center with a team of Girard students, staff and local community leaders for almost a year, he said.

A performance arts center would be valuable not just to the school, but to the community, Zuppo added. If everything goes as planned, the center could be offered as a venue the community can rent for events such as dance recitals when the school isn’t using it for school plays and graduation commencement.

Zuppo guesses there will be about 1,000 seats in the center, but he said it depends on the final cost and available funds. More details about the center will be released soon.