A new $8.48 million, 18,000 square-foot music building will be coming to Hays High by spring 2019.
Such is the timeframe envisioned by Hays CISD board of trustees after they approved the final design documents for the new building Oct. 16. Construction on the new music building is projected to start February 2018 and is expected to take a year to complete.
The music building will be built as part of the $250 million bond package that Hays CISD voters approved May 6. The bond package includes construction of High School No. 3, Elementary School No. 14, the new Buda Elementary School, and facility upgrades and equipment for schools across the district.
According to the district, the music building will be the home to the Hays High School band, choir, and other music programs. According to district design documents, the new building is to be located toward the back of the high school and will replace a set of old tennis courts that are currently being used for marching band practice.
The new building is being built to create equal facilities with those of Lehman High School and the to-be-constructed third high school.
“All of those programs will be so there’s equity with Hays High School. They’re trying to make sure that each high school, including the third high school, all have the same opportunities for students,” Tim Savoy, Hays CISD pubic information officer, said.
The old band hall, just in front of the building site, will be converted into career and technical education (CTE) classrooms and lab space.
Renovations to the old band hall are also included in the bond package with $1.88 million dedicated for a commercial culinary kitchen, $550,000 for vet tech construction and equipment, and $650,000 for a remodel of the broadcasting studio and new equipment.
The major materials that will be used for construction are brick and stone with a limited use of metal panels on the upper portions. An existing tree on site will also be preserved and incorporated into the design. The building will also highlight the Hays colors using a bold red at the entry.
The design of the building aims to create a beautiful space where students can practice.
“This avenue is directed towards beauty which is represented by nature, an existing tree on site as well as towards the Hays CISD Performing Arts Center where the students may one day perform,” according to design documents.
