McCarthy recently began construction on a $5 million, 24,000-square-foot auditorium renovation at Paradise Valley High School, located at 3950 E. Bell Road in Phoenix.
The auditorium was originally constructed in 1985. The inside of the auditorium has been completely gutted to modernize the space, complete with ADA access modifications, new seating, new theatrical lighting, sound upgrades and a more open entry. New rigging systems and curtains are also being installed due to the increased height from stage to structure, which enhances stage presence by providing a larger opening.
“The Paradise Valley High School District decided to modernize this auditorium by judiciously using available funds on construction improvements that will provide the greatest impact for students and staff,” said Steve Poulin, project director with McCarthy. “In addition to interior cosmetic improvements, the district is upgrading lighting to LED lights, which reduce maintenance and operation costs and improve efficiency. The new wheelchair access with ramps up to the main stage will also improve how this auditorium functions.”
In November, voters in the Paradise Valley school district approved a $203 million capital bond to renovate and maintain schools, comply with safety regulations, improve school grounds and buy furniture, equipment, technology and buses. The auditorium renovation at Paradise Valley High School is being funded through this bond.
“Portions of the auditorium had been, literally, off-limits to students for safety reasons, so this renovation is sorely needed and eagerly awaited,” said Brian Mabb, principal of Paradise Valley High School. “The repairs and improvements would not have been possible without the support of district voters and our parent community, and we are very grateful.”
The entire auditorium is currently closed while the construction team installs new steel beams to support the added weight for additional catwalks and other safety structures. The entire remodel will be complete by January. Paradise Valley High School will showcase the new auditorium with a formal dedication and public celebration in February.
NTD Architecture is the architect for the project. Major subcontractors include Pueblo Mechanical, Urban Energy, Schuff Steel, McCarthy Plumbing and Pete King Construction.
About McCarthy
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is the nation’s 8th largest domestic general contractor (Engineering News-Record, May 2012). The firm has been building in the education market for more than 50 years. Committed to the construction of high-performance buildings, the company has managed construction or built hundreds of schools in virtually every K–12 school district in Arizona as well as 200 higher-education projects on more than 50 college campuses. The McCarthy Southwest Division is based in Tempe, Ariz. McCarthy also has offices in Newport Beach, San Diego, Sacramento and San Francisco, Calif.; Las Vegas; Albuquerque; Dallas and Houston; St. Louis; Collinsville, Ill., and Atlanta. McCarthy is 100 percent employee-owned. More information about the company is available at www.mccarthy.com.
