The newest performing arts center in Henry County is officially open.
Officials from Henry County Schools cut the ribbon September 17 on the district’s latest construction project adjacent to Fairview Elementary School. The 49,000-square-foot facility was funded by the district’s current E-SPLOST, which was approved by voters in 2016. Ground was broken in November of 2018.
“We are so pleased to be able to provide this beautiful facility for the students, staff, and community,” said Henry County Board of Education member Annette Edwards. “To the citizens of Henry County, we can’t say thank you enough for supporting E-SPLOST V. It’s important for us to always provide the opportunity for our children to learn in this county, and you can see that projects like this through E-SPLOST make that happen.”
The facility has a 1,000-seat capacity, slightly larger than the existing performing arts center (PAC) in McDonough, and officials touted the new building’s state-of-the-art technology to make the experience better for performers and audience members alike.
“This really is the premier performing arts center in the state,” noted architect Jan Selz, an architect with Manley Spangler Smith Architects that designed the facility.
With more than 400 events annually being hosted at the original PAC, a second venue is expected to greatly expand the district’s ability to serve its 43,000-plus students and their families. District chief operations officer Josh Malcom noted that with the new facility now open, work can begin on needed renovations to the original PAC, which is more than 20 years old. Funding for those renovations was also approved as part of the latest E-SPLOST.
The Fairview center features conference space at the back of the facility; energy-efficient LED lighting; Wi-Fi for guest usage; digital signage, IPTV, and a video on-demand system; and a state-of-the-art sound system supported by digital signal processors, mixers, and banks of audio amplifiers.
Attendees at the ribbon cutting were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour as well as a piano performance by Luella High junior Kaleb Bates.
“This is a great day and marks another milestone for our district as we expand opportunities for our students and staff to showcase their talents to the community in a state-of-the-art venue,” said district superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis. “If it weren’t for the voters of Henry County and their support of our schools, this all would not be possible. A big thank you goes to everyone who played a part in this effort, including former Superintendent Rodney Bowler, past members of the board of education, and district leadership teams.”
