Cedar Ridge High School construction and architecture students are getting a front-row view of the construction and completion of the campus’ new fine arts auditorium, slated to open in August.
Classes have the opportunity to tour the active construction site each month, led by the Bartlett Cocke General Contractor construction manager, and ask questions about the building and planning process.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have Barlett Cocke partner with our Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes to showcase the construction of our new fine arts auditorium,” Cedar Ridge Principal Lynette Thomas said. “Getting to experience the day-to-day life on a construction site is an outstanding enrichment opportunity for our students, which they can recall as they enter their respective career fields.”
Cedar Ridge junior Andrew Lewis has plans to become a construction manager after high school and said he appreciates the unique opportunity to talk with the construction staff and learn first-hand how a building is completed.
“I like the fact that we get to see the real life application of everything we learn in class,” Andrew said. “It’s definitely interesting and I enjoy it because I plan to go into the construction trade.”
The $19.5 million fine arts auditorium is funded through Bond 2014 funds. The 750 seat auditorium will feature a full stage with rigging, a green room, an orchestra pit and a scenery shop. During the latest tour, students had the opportunity to see the framing of seating, the elevator shaft and the control room.
“With these tours, students get a sense of reality and see what the different types of jobs involve,” Round Rock ISD Project Manager Nick Thanos said. “It’s so important for our students to not only get to see how the building comes up, but to realize what these workers go through every day.”
