Board Reviews Schematic Design for Proposed Act 3 Performing Arts Facilities

The Board of Education reviewed the schematic design for Act 3 of the Imagine OPRF facilities plan during its May 28 meeting, marking another step in the district’s ongoing planning and community engagement process for future performing arts instructional spaces.

The design, developed in collaboration with FGMA Architects and the Imagine OPRF 3.0 Committee of stakeholders, replaces century-old facilities with new music classrooms, a black-box theater and classroom, rehearsal and storage spaces, and replacement of physical education spaces that will be demolished during construction.

District leaders emphasized during the meeting that Act 3 remains in the design and evaluation phase and has not been approved for construction.

“This presentation represents an important milestone in understanding what modernized performing arts and student activity spaces could look like at OPRF,” Superintendent Dr. Gregory Johnson said. “At the same time, we are still in the process of evaluating project scope, estimated costs, and funding options before any decisions are made about moving forward.”

Act 3 is the third phase of the district’s long-range Imagine OPRF facilities planning process and focuses on modernizing performing arts, theater, and student activity spaces to better support current and future student programming.

The schematic design presented to the Board includes:

• New instructional spaces for choir, band, and orchestra
• A new black box theater and classroom, as well as theater support spaces
• Student rehearsal, practice, and collaboration areas
• Updated locker rooms and adaptive physical education spaces
• Accessibility and infrastructure improvements throughout the project area

The presentation also included updated exterior renderings and site plans that illustrate how the proposed facilities could integrate with the existing campus.

Throughout the planning process, district leaders have worked with students, staff, architects, and members of the Imagine 3.0 Committee to better understand current facility limitations and future program needs. The proposed plans are intended to support performing arts and student programs that serve hundreds of students each year while addressing challenges related to accessibility, space limitations, and aging infrastructure.

District officials shared that preliminary project estimates and additional scope discussions are expected to be presented to the Board of Education on June 11, followed by continued community engagement and funding discussions.

“Our goal is to provide clear information and maintain transparency throughout this process,” Dr. Johnson said. “The community deserves the opportunity to understand both the possibilities and the costs before any decisions are made.”

More information about Act 3, including the schematic designs and renderings presented to the Board of Education on May 28, is available at oprfhs.org/about/facilities.