Tia Lyons
Inside the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium is a maze of aluminum columns, scaffolding, a flurry of activity, and a cacophony of construction sounds — all signs of progress on a major refit for the nearly 60-year-old facility.
Blake Dunn, of CADM Architecture, Inc., who drafted the master renovation plan for the auditorium, said the project is moving along according to schedule.
Work began late last summer on the $5.7 million project that will address the interior, building systems and the roof of the auditorium.
New-addition construction includes a side corridor leading from the stage to the lobby, additional egress from the balcony, a lobby expansion and additional restrooms.
The refit is being funded by the former El Dorado Forward economic development sales tax. The project was approved by the El Dorado City Council before the tax sunset last June.
Dunn said inclement weather over the past several weeks presented challenges for crews who were working on the foundation, but that work has been completed with concrete slabs poured and plumbing fixtures installed.
“That’s put a lot of pressure on the schedule, but we’re looking at ways to make up that time,” Dunn said. “(The anticipated completion date) has always been late spring, mid-May-ish, and I still think that’s feasible.”
CADM is working closely with construction manager East-Harding Construction of Little Rock and other contractors who are handling the various trade packages that are included in the project.
Dunn said East-Harding is working to secure materials that have a long lead time for delivery, such as brick, which has been ordered and is on the way.
New audience seats are also on order, he said.
While rainy weather is still affecting work outside, it has done nothing to hinder interior work that has been going steady for the past few months.
Crews can be seen working on different levels of the building, high and low, on scaffolding that is taking up much of the space inside the auditorium.
Next week, crews are expected to start on the steel framework for the addition, Dunn said, adding, “I think people will start to see some dramatic changes.”
He said the project is running under budget as CADM and East-Harding continue to practice value engineering by searching for the best prices on materials, such as lighting and plumbing fixtures.
“Periodically, some manufacturers have better prices than others, and we try to take advantage of that,” Dunn said.
He said the scope of the project was modified prior to construction to keep costs down.
For example, the design of the lobby was altered and the size of the new restrooms was scaled back.
Dunn said no other changes have been made since work began.
Some of the initial components of the conceptual design — including an outdoor patio and a lighted walkway leading from the Memorial Stadium parking lot to the auditorium — are still on hold and could be added later if money allows, he said.
“We are trying to make things much more economical, but still make it visually appealing. It’s such a wonderful building for a community like this. We think everyone is going to be please, and it’s going to continue to be an asset to the city,” Dunn said.