A two-story, 12,000-square-foot band and choir area at Wyoming High School will add much-needed space for the school’s music programs.
The high school in the former Rogers High School building at 1350 Prairie Parkway SW was built in 1957, and has always lacked sufficient space for band and choir programs, says Assistant Principal TJ Restau.
With the consolidation of Rogers and Wyoming Park high schools, the number of band students grew from 50-70 per school to more than 120, and space for practice, class and storage of instruments was very inadequate for that many kids, Restau says.
The new space adds to the excitement of a band consolidating from two high schools, both steeped in tradition. “We’re adding something else here to serve the community,” he says.
The $2.4 million project will rebuild a corridor to add better fire protection between the gymnasium and music suite, says Matt Lewis, director of finance and human resources. It includes new bathrooms for athletic events and students during lunches, a new concession area and a larger main entrance lobby.
The project is funded through a 20-year loan and portions of the proceeds from the sale of a district-owned building, but administrators hope it’s just the beginning of renovations at the high school.
Voters will consider a two-part, $49 million request on the Tuesday, Nov. 5, ballot. Proposal 1 is for $37 million to fund building improvements in the district including instructional space and a completely remodeled high school. Proposal II, for $12.22 million, would fund a new Applied Arts Community Center and upgrades at the high school athletic complex.
Wyoming High School’s office will be reworked to accommodate a secure entryway and open up the entrance so visitors don’t enter the building into a corridor. The new entrance lobby will create an open area that connects with a cafeteria. A two-classroom addition to the west wing will house a new media center and walkway across the east courtyard to improve flow.
