General contractor McCarthy Building Companies announced the completion of the Sierra Linda Performing Arts Center, a new 24,000-square-foot facility located at Sierra Linda High School, 3434 S. 67th Ave. in Phoenix, which is part of the Tolleson Union High School District.
The new performing arts center was designed for maximum functionality for students, educators and audience members, accommodating more than 600 people. To serve area arts education programs and the broader community, the center is being used as a hands-on teaching space for the Sierra Linda High School’s performing arts/fine arts programs and is acoustically balanced for both amplified sound and live performances.
The stage includes state-of-the-art LED lighting with automatic stage rigging and controls. The back of the house includes a dance classroom, a multi-purpose classroom for guitar, mariachi and piano lessons, as well as associated restrooms and make-up rooms. The design scheme utilizes mountains on the walls and a color palette that complements Sierra Linda’s school colors of navy and maroon.
“We are absolutely thrilled that our Sierra Linda students will finally have a state-of-the-art performing arts center to showcase their talents,” said Tolleson Union High School District Superintendent Nora Gutierrez. “It is long overdue. This community deserves a beautiful facility such as this one. The performing arts center is one that will serve the community for many years to come. We can’t wait for the wonderful performances and events that will take place in this wonderful facility. We thank our partners, McCarthy Construction and ADM Group for building such a beautiful facility for our students.”
“This project illustrates that creative design and construction solutions combined with smart budgeting can elevate a school theater beyond status quo to a professional quality theater for the entire community to enjoy,” said Mike Horn, project director for McCarthy’s Education Services team.
The 9-month construction project included ADM Group as the architect, and McCarthy Building Companies as the general contractor. ADM Group completed the original high school campus design in 2010, which included plans for a future performing arts center.
“Our team is proud to have designed a premier performance arts venue that will elevate the rich, cultural fabric at Sierra Linda High School. To pay homage to a nearby historic canal, the landscape design features a levee with river rocks that flow to and from the theater’s entrance. To reflect the name of the school, ‘beautiful mountains’, the side walls of the auditorium were constructed in the shape of mountains with lighting to glow like the sunset. The long-awaited performing arts center honors the community’s roots and gives students a modern, high-tech space to showcase their talents,” said Nina Sheriff, Principal | Director of Design with ADM Group.
Funding for the project was provided by school bond dollars.
