Construction soon to be completed in Cultural Centre theatre, hallways
By JJ Ossola
IV Leader Staff, Oct. 19, 2006
Construction at Illinois Valley Community College seems to
be a continuous cycle but recent projects in the hallway and theatre seem to be
grander, more sweeping in nature.
Work in the theatre had been much anticipated by the groups
that use the space frequently. The whole of its inner workings will be improved
by the time of its scheduled reopening at the end of October.
Tom Schultz, the technical director for the college
productions, said, “To most people, it may not look much different except for
the new curtains, floor lighting, and lighting pipes on the side walls that
weren’t there before. However, the changes in how the space works will be
enormous. The whole stage will be brighter. More lighting looks and effects will
be able to be done. It will be less expensive to run the facility, and it will
be easier to repair any component that malfunctions.” He added, “The best way to
describe it is that it will be a more flexible space, and I will be able to show
the student how to do things that the facility was not capable of before.”
The theatre construction encompasses replacing the curtains,
updating/replacing key electrical components and replacing worn rigging. “The
curtain needed to be replaced because it was dry-rotted and would not pass a
fire inspection,” said Schultz, “and also, the normal wear and tear on 300 pound
curtains that have been in use for 26 years.”
“With the changes in stage lighting that have some
about in the last 15-20 years, it is now possible to do much more with lighting
control than it ever was before. With the new dimming system, light board, and
additional electrical circuits dedicated to the stage lighting system, much more
will be able to be accomplished. One other added thing would be the savings
involved, with more light created using less power and uniform bulbs installed.
Troy Hassler of Nu Line Electric has done an amazing job of correcting many
flaws in the original wiring of the space and helping things be what they should
have been in the first place.”
“The rigging has had problems for a number of years,
with some pipes that were hung permanently in place with a chain to ensure that
they were safe. This will be the first upgrade that this system has seen in the
26 years, since the building was built!” Meanwhile most students seem oblivious
to the hallway projects by now. In the hallways of the first floor, the drop
ceiling has been removed, showing off the many wires, ducts and conduits.
Gary Johnson, the director of facilities, has said “the
construction has a substantial completion date of Oct. 20 for the ceiling,
lighting replacement and phase II wiring modifications main level of buildings D
& E.” This project is aimed at improved fire safety, greater sound control,
greater light levels with less energy use, and enhancements to “the technology
wiring.”
Johnson added two more projects will be starting soon, the replacing of
stairwell doors and hardware, as well as the upgrading of fire doors in lower
level corridors. As per last year, the courtyard will be closing, tentatively
scheduled, on Nov.23- March 1 following IVCC’s energy conservation plan.