The inside of the auditorium at Washington High School is nearly complete, photo taken in July. Photo by Sally Y. Hart

In November the Washington High School will perform a play and it will be the first show in the new auditorium. Construction is wrapping up and Superintendent of Washington Schools Jeff Dicks says work is nearly complete and they’re waiting for an occupancy permit, which means all of the safety systems like the emergency lighting have to be tested first. The facility will seat about 700 people.

The Washington Area Performing Arts and Events Center cost $7.6 million with funds coming from multiple sources including $2.5 million from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation, $1.1 million from a bond referendum, $800,000 from Vision Iowa, $50,000 from the City of Washington, $15,000 from the Washington County Board of Supervisors and over $2.6 million in private donations.

A grand unveiling for the public will be held this fall with a date yet to be determined. Check out some of KCII’s behind the scenes photos of the construction on the KCII Radio Facebook page.

*The fall play will be held November 11-13. This story has been updated with the correct dates.