The Ceres Unified School District is in the midst of planning for a new Performing Arts Venue to be constructed on Central Valley High School’s campus near the main office and E building.

“We got the greenlight in June to move forward with the planning and design phase,” said Dan Pangrazio, assistant superintendent of Business Services for CUSD. “Right now, we’re working with architects. It’s really limitless what you can do with a venue like that.”

The project is expected to cost upwards of $7 million according to Pangrazio.

It will be fully funded by CUSD.

“It could change based on design and the cost of construction,” he said. 

FF&J Architects is currently designing plans for the 5,000-square-foot venue, which will have a 400-seat theatre.

“We always planned to have a performing arts center at Central Valley,” said Jay Simmonds, assistant superintendent of Student Support Services for CUSD. “It was in the original plans when the high school was first built. Some changes in the bonding capacity allowed us to do it.”

Final design plans will be submitted to the Ceres School Board for approval.

“If everything goes well, it will be completed in two and a half to three years,” Pangrazio said. “A lot of factors are in play. We’ll be going through a naming process as well.”

The new performing arts building will be used for drama, choir, band and other activities.

“It will be used for a multitude of events for all of our schools,” Pangrazio said. “We also may have outside organizations and groups use the facility as long as the purpose fits in with our board policies. It’s going to be a wonderful venue.”