RUMFORD — Work is progressing to repair considerable damage done last winter to the Muskie Auditorium at RSU 10’s Mountain Valley High School.
The auditorium and many other areas of the school were damaged by a leaky roof caused by heavy snow and ice buildup.
Rumford Selectman Jeff Sterling gave an update at Thursday night’s board meeting from notes he took at the inaugural meeting Wednesday night of a committee looking at the long-term future of Muskie Auditorium.
Sterling said the roof over the gym, cafeteria, band room and ramp has been sealed.
“The roof over the auditorium, which was in the worst shape, has been replaced,” he said.
The trapezoidal acoustic tiles in the ceiling and on the walls are being removed because it was learned they have an asbestos base.
The stage curtain, which was new a few years ago, wasn’t damaged, along with most of the stage, Sterling said. The seats were also spared. The carpet has been ripped up and will be replaced.
Sterling said the auditorium repairs are expected to be completed by mid-November when it will be reopened for the school’s fall show presented by the drama department.
“Out of hard times comes new opportunities,” Sterling said of the committee. It is co-chaired by high school Principal Matt Gilbert and master sound technician Craig Zurhorst and has a dozen members.
On Wednesday night, the committee assembled a wish list of improvements and enhancements to the auditorium and possible funding mechanisms to make those possible, Sterling said. All efforts will adhere to school and RSU 10 policy.
“It’s a very good opportunity to do whatever we can to move the auditorium forward for the good of the region with no promises for funding, because we don’t know what we’ll get,” Zurhorst said Friday.
Gilbert said Friday that the school’s roof was more than 30 years old.
“For a flat roof in Maine, it’s incredible that it lasted so long,” he said. “Everywhere there was a flat roof, there was significant damage (from water leaks).”
The seats were all tested by an environmental service firm to ensure they are mildew- and mold-free. Normal wear and tear on many seats, however, will be repaired and the aisle seats will be braced better.
Lighting and electrical wiring, entrances and the box office were damaged. The lighting system was nine years old.
“We tried to make it watertight, but we haven’t got it running yet” for a comprehensive test, Gilbert said.
Zurhorst said the front portion of the stage that extends toward the audience was badly damaged.
Gilbert also said he doesn’t know if the leaks damaged LCD projectors suspended from the ceiling. Those have to be checked, as well.
That’s why school officials are being extra cautious about repairs and renovations and not rushing to reopen the auditorium anytime soon.
“We’re making good choices about what’s going on,” Gilbert said.
The committee will serve much like a booster group and focus on creating a state-of-the-art auditorium that will cater to the needs of the school and the growing arts community.
Ideas are being sought to find funding to improve the auditorium, because insurance only covers damage.
“We want to flip this tragic story of a facility that had a major issue and turn it into the heart of the community again,” Gilbert said.
They are also taking ideas about the types of entertainment and functions the community wants in the auditorium. Those will drive upgrades that will require funding.
“We need ideas and help from people with knowledge on how to approach people and organizations for funding, because we need to try to attract the attention of grant-making organizations,” Zurhorst said.
Ideas and advice can be submitted to Gilbert via email at mgilbert@rsu10.org.
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