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Sisters, Oregon
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School auditorium third largest in region
By Jim Cornelius

The proposed 920-seat Sisters High School auditorium would be the third largest performance theater in Central Oregon.

It would be the second largest high school auditorium in the region.

The Deschutes County Fairgrounds offers the largest seating capacity.

The fairgrounds Event Center is by far the largest venue in the area, seating 4,000 people in fixed seats, with the ability to handle 3,000 more in floor seating.

Bend High School's auditorum seats just over 1,400. The student body at the school is currently 1,197.

The Bend High School auditorium is the only one in the area with seating capacity larger than the student body.

Several other high schools in the area have auditoriums that seat approximately half of their student body (see sidebar on page 10 for a list of auditorium sizes).

The new Summit High School in Bend has a 600-seat auditorium for a projected student body of 1,200 when seniors arrive next year.

Sisters High School proposes a 920 seat auditorium for a maximum student capacity of 700.

Advocates of the large auditorium argue that the extra seats would allow bringing middle school students into assemblies and accommodate large community events.

Critics note that the large auditorium would cut into cafeteria "commons" space, which could eventually force a split lunch schedule.

A split lunch schedule could make it difficult for some students to take the classes they need.

Some also question whether community use of the facility would justify the extra size and cost.

Even at 700 seats, the new Sisters High School auditorium would remain the third largest theater facility in the region and the second-largest high school auditorium.

Cost differences between the 920 seat auditorium and a 700 seat auditorium are still being worked out.

The school board has not yet received cost estimates from architect Scott Steele and construction manager Kirby Nagelhout.

The school board will review plans and cost estimates at a meeting on Friday, March 8.

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