River View High School plans auditorium renovation

River View High School announced that after the first week of school, renovation of the school's auditorium will begin. The renovation will be completed before the annual Pops Concert in early November.

The school was built 60 years ago, and most of the equipment in the auditorium is from the original build. The renovation will include replacing the stage floor and new padded seats with more space between the rows. ADA seating also will be included in the renovation. The lighting will be updated to LED stage light fixtures that will use 80% less energy and give off less heat. New lighting controls equipment also will be added.

Microphones and new sound equipment also will be purchased. A properly sized projector and control wiring will be included, as well as general repairs and fresh paint on the walls and ceiling. The auditorium will look like a new facility when the renovations are complete.

River View High School Principal Joshua Branch said, “The RVHS auditorium renovation project is very important because it will allow our students the opportunity to perform in an up-to-date facility. We also have many items in the auditorium that are at the end of their life span including the stage floor, auditorium seating, and sound and lighting fixtures and wiring.”

The $750,000 project is about 80% funded, thanks to the River View School Board, grants and donations from local businesses. The district is able to address the most important work at this time but is hoping to get the full amount so everything can be completed at one time.

The district is looking for donations from individuals. The Kimble Company is offering to provide matching funds to all donations, up to $50,000. The district is asking all donations be made by Nov. 1 so the needed equipment can be ordered and installed before the first performance.

A campaign just kicked off where the community can “purchase” a seat for $200. These donations can be made in memory or honor of someone, and that person's name will be placed on a plaque that will hang in the auditorium.

Any size donation is appreciated. For questions email Branch at joshua.branch@rvbears.org or call the high school office. Donations can be made online or by sending a check to the school. The address is River View Local Schools, c/o Kara Kimes, 26496 state Route 60, Warsaw, OH 43844.

“We look forward to this project being completed this fall, and the first performance in the new auditorium will be our Pops Concert on Nov. 7,” Branch said.