East auditorium to get facelift after approval by school board

Columbus East High School students will see a revamped auditorium under a plan adopted last night by the school board. Bartholomew Consolidated schools approved a contract with Dunlap & Company construction last night and a change order that would mean $3.8 million dollars in renovations to the auditorium.

Dunlap was the low bidder for the project at about $4.4 million dollars and their bid was approved Monday night. But the change order was also approved to bring the price of the project down by more than $549,000 — within the project’s budget — by downgrading some amenities including reducing some of the lighting, and going with a cheaper soundboard and speaker system.

The systems would be upgradeable, if they need to expand in the future, school officials said. For example, more LED lights could be added and controlled by the new system, or additional speakers could be installed.

The goal is to bring the East auditorium up to the same quality level of the Columbus North High School auditorium, school officials said.