By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
The San Benito Consolidated Independent School District (SBCISD) held a groundbreaking ceremony for a future performing arts center, showcasing performances by mariachi, flamenco, and conjunto students, setting the stage for what’s to come when the building opens in two years, as officials project.
The performing arts center (PAC) will be situated beside Veterans Memorial Academy at 2115 N. Oscar Williams Road.
All seven SBCISD Board of Trustees, school district administrators, and staff from DWilson Construction and ERO Architects attended the March 13 groundbreaking.
This event with other school leaders and stakeholders took place more than half a year after elected officials unanimously approved the building’s cost of $24.162 million, and about six years since the initial $40M bond election to fund three district facilities, which included the PAC, an indoor sports training facility, and a swimming center.
Only one facility, the training center, has been completed.
The original location of the remaining two facilities was along the frontage road behind Dr. Garza Elementary, but it was later considered unsuitable due to ground instability and its position in a flood zone.
At the time of the groundbreaking, DWilson Construction was in the first phase of the project. This initial phase is currently focused on site preparation, including underground utilities, site clearing, and earthwork.
In fact, it was just last month that the SBCISD Board of Trustees took action on a meeting item related to cost.
DWilson Construction is leading the effort for the 900-seat PAC and is scheduled to begin construction on June 26; it will last 18 to 20 months.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, speakers all agreed that the PAC is an addition that will expand opportunities for students and the community while celebrating the district’s commitment to the arts.
Trustees approved a two-story building covering 30,966 square feet, featuring an orchestra pit and a fully operational fly tower designed to support large-scale productions, concerts, and theatrical performances.
Speakers mentioned the PAC will also feature two fully equipped rehearsal halls, enabling students to prepare for performances and competitions, including those related to UIL events.
Construction speakers said guests will be welcomed through a multi-purpose lobby designed to host school district-related gatherings for up to 100 people.
According to SBCISD, the building will include a scene shop with direct stage access, as well as dedicated girls’ and boys’ dressing rooms.
Both school district and construction company representatives said the overall PAC design reflects the history of San Benito, the surrounding VMA campus, and includes artistic motifs that school leaders said celebrate the performing arts.
Attendees were informed that the construction of the project will occur in two phases to help speed up the timeline. The second phase will involve building the facility itself.
At last month’s regular meeting, the SBCISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved reallocating $200,000 and making changes to PAC site work to save an additional $210,000 in costs to bring it back within budget.
The board, during its Feb. 11 regular meeting in the John F. Barron Administration Building, was told there was a difference of $411,000 between what it initially approved ($22.319M) last year and unexpected expenses that increased the estimated cost to $22.730M.
Once DWilson Construction went out to bid with its trade partners for site work, Design Manager Aaron Hanley said geotechnical cost recommendations (earthwork) were higher than expected. It was something the company didn’t anticipate.
He called it “real live numbers.”
But, Hanley was confident they could realign the project through various strategies because of how the SBCISD board initially held on to safeguard funds — $200,000 to be exact for site improvements.
These site strategies include removing a section of a loop road on the current property and improving the storm water system. This work would save $210,000 compared to the original plans.
Hanley said it’s all part of Guaranteed Maximum Price No. 1.
We will begin construction of Phase 1, and we’re currently projected to deliver the full set of construction documents by May 8. Then, we will present GMP No. 2 to the board in June to start construction of the building,