Allegheny Valley school officials want to upgrade Springdale High School's auditorium lobby

Allegheny Valley School District officials want to upgrade the lobby of the high school’s auditorium.

Some school directors and administrators held a meeting Thursday with Terry Thompson, vice president of the Foreman Group, over possible updates to the school’s Marshall Auditorium lobby.

The next step in the process, Thompson said, is to select a contractor to complete scanning work at the site. Directors will consider hiring a firm to do so at their meeting Feb. 13.

Two firms — Spatial Acuity of Austin, Texas, and Laser Design of Golden Valley, Minn. — submitted bids for the scanning work. Thompson recommended the board go with Spatial Acuity because he believes they will offer the best service.

While the board has discussed possible renovations to its outdoor entrance and gymnasium lobby as well, Thursday’s meeting focused on the auditorium lobby.

Thompson recommends a canopy outside the auditorium lobby entrance. While still preliminary, the most recent sketch includes three additional bathrooms on the left-hand side of the lobby. He also presented various design concepts with walls, flooring, ceiling and light fixtures in the lobby.

“We’re trying to add life into your auditorium entrance,” Thompson said.

Board members Mary Ellen Ecker, Larry Pollick and Amy Sarno expressed interest in incorporating school colors and more of a sense of community in the space.

“What we do is going to be here 40, 50 years,” Pollick said. “We want it to look special and reflect our communities.”

The Foreman Group completed auditorium renovation projects at other districts, including Plum and West Allegheny, Thompson said.

Thompson’s firm will move forward with sketch designs to present to the board for its feedback and review.

“I think, when we’re done, you’re going to be happy with it,” he said.