Photo: Jeff Hazard with Koch Hazard Architects points out possibilities for extra storage space in the  most recent design concept for Chamberlain's prospective performing arts center during an update meeting last Thursday.

Cost estimates to remodel Chamberlain’s City Hall into a 13,825 square-foot community performing arts center are running about $2.1 million.

The center would be a home for the Chamberlain school’s performing arts programs and would seat 470, include a community room and offices for the Chamber of Commerce.

Jeff Hazard, principal architect with Koch Hazard Architects of Sioux Falls, presented updated plans to the planning group on Thursday, Sept. 18. The group consists of performing arts instructors from the school and school and Chamberlain city officials.

Thursday’s presentation offered a plan which is nearly half the highest estimate Hazard presented to the group two months ago.

“This defines the scope to give a reasonable, reliable estimate,” he said. He noted that it’s early in the design process yet, but they now have a solid concept design.

In July, Hazard presented plans to include all the wants and needs presented by the group, in a building that would have encompassed at least one neighboring business and a near complete demolition. Estimates then ran up to $4.4 million for the group’s dream building.

Architects slimmed down the plans to use the existing City Hall structure, include as many necessary features as possible and hit closer to the proposed $1.5 million budget. 

“We’ve thought pretty hard about it,” said Hazard. “It’s been difficult to find ways to reduce costs without digging into functionality.”

Faye Stryzewski, vocal instructor at Chamberlain High School, said “It think this looks great for our needs.”

As the plan’s focus has narrowed, the capacity has stayed at around 500 seats and also included offices for the Chamber of Commerce and an 800 square-foot community room.

The biggest concern, however, was over having sufficient storage.

CHS drama instructor Trisha Burke wasn’t sure if there would be enough storage in the new plan for everything the drama department needs to store.

She noted that the department currently uses six or seven different locations throughout the community for storage. Though, she is grateful to have the opportunity to have more centralized storage with the proposed performing arts center. 

“I’m excited about the look. It does fit the specifications we gave them,” said Burke. “It’s far better than what we have now.”

When first discussing the concept for the center, the group talked about saving the front part of the City Hall building and building a new structure on the rear part. To keep within budget, this would require a steel-frame structure, which Hazard said would have meant poor acoustics. 

“By reusing the original building, we’re taking advantage of better acoustics,” he said. Hazard explained that the dense, brick walls of City Hall are better than a steel frame for acoustic quality. 

The proposed building plans use the existing City Hall structure and add additions to the north and south of the building on the City’s property. This breaks down to 9.300 square feet of renovated space in City Hall plus 4460 square feet with the additions. 

The additions would become a hall/gallery space leading into the theatre with at least 1,300 square feet of storage above on the second floor.

Plans would also get rid of the split level flooring in City Hall. The proposal fills in the current basement space and puts the main floor on the same level as the street. Office space, a gallery and the performance theatre are on the main floor. A second floor would house storage space, a control room and the community room. 

“This seems to be the most cost-effective way to meet the needs of this program,” said Hazard. “It’ll be a nice functional performing arts center.”