A roughly $83,000 project brings high school gym up to snuff for school’s fine arts program
The year was 2007, and the Tracy Area Public School District wanted a new fine arts/athletics facility. Taxpayers within the school district thought it would be nice, too — just not enough of them. A referendum vote failed, and the dream faded.
Since then, high school choir singers and actors alike — along with Miss Tracy participants and community theater thespians — have continued to grace the stage in the gym, which for some has come to be known as a “gymatorium.” And while the school has made the most of the stage and continues to present a countless number of performances, no one can blame those involved with the fine arts department — both then and now — for craving a little something extra.
This past weekend, a two-man NLFX Professional crew put the finishing touches on a major upgrade for the stage, and the gym in general. A new LED lighting system to replace halogen bulbs has been accompanied by an overhauled sound system, giving a huge boost to every performance. Needless to say, spectators will be able to see, and feel, the difference.
The district will pay for the roughly $83,000 project with Long-Term Facilities Maintenance dollars — funding set aside by the State for schools to use for things like increasing accessibility to school facilities, and deferring capital expenditures and maintenance projects necessary to prevent further erosion of facilities.
The District in FY25 pursued quotes for theater lights and sound in the gym. The original plan was to install the new lights and speakers last summer, but a technicality prevented it. By the time the product was to arrive, last year’s fall sports season had already begun, TAHS Actives Director Bill Tauer said.
“We talked about doing it between seasons, and they needed a full week; then we had the play, and they were talking about Christmas vacation, and that didn’t work,” Tauer said.
“The (Tracy Area Education) Foundation started raising money a while ago … we put the black cages (that hold lights) about 10 years ago,” TAPS Supt. Chad Anderson said. “We changed the lights and did some things at that time to upgrade our system to give them better light and sound.”
But over the years, school administration has grown dissatisfied with the system and because there is no theater at the school, wanted to make the gym portray a theaterlike atmosphere as much as possible, “so the audience can see and hear them well, and the kids can have a good experience in all of our fine arts,” said Anderson. “We want this to be a simple system that our choir directors, band directors and play directors can use without it being too complicated.”
Those attending future events can expect a vasty different experience. While the sound shells behind choir members will still be put to use, gone are the days of not being able to see back-row choir members, for lack of light.
“I want to make sure when we have the elementary program with all those kids down on the floor, we can see them as well as the kids on the stage, the kids on the risers,” said Anderson,” so every parent from every spot can see the kids’ faces.”
All halogen bulbs have been replaced by much brighter LED lights; using both old and new at the same time, Tauer said, is not costefficient. Besides, LED lights not only use less power, they distribute light on a more broad level.
Lee Foster of NLFX said the sound will be enhanced with more than a handful of new speakers — three on either side directed at the bleachers and two in the middle, as well as four more specifically for stage performances.
“We’ll get good coverage whether it’s a sporting event, or a concert or theater performance,” said Foster.
Also in the package is a new soundboard, new amplifier and 16 new wireless bodypack microphones.
“Fine arts are an integral part for the kids’ education, and we want to make sure they have every advantage every other activity does,” Anderson said. “We’re excited to see what happens.”
