New building nearly complete

Becky Albrecht

Something that began as only a vision years ago is finally becoming a reality: a dedicated venue for performing arts in the Maryville R-II School District. The reality is a new, state of the art facility that encompasses over 19,000 square feet and seats almost 700 individuals. Major components of the performing arts center are now complete, and only finishing touches remain. This final finishing stage is expected to last a couple more weeks before the construction crew leaves and the doors open for daily usage.

The facility is beautiful, and it will provide learning and performance opportunities for students never before possible. So many local individuals and groups have contributed to the project, and all deserve a heart-felt thank you. At the top of the list of those deserving thanks are the voters and taxpayers of the district, the Schneider family, and the Maryville R-II Educational Foundation. The vision, confidence, and financial support of these groups were key to creating such a wonderful addition to our school and community.

Another important group in this particular project is the subcontractors. Many local vendors were key contributors. Therefore, when you walk into the PAC, it is the work of your neighbors, relatives, and friends that you will be awed by. Coenen Electric was a primary contributor, utilizing the skill and talents of Gary and Becky Coenen, Dennis James, Jeff James, Matt Diggs, Mike Rowlett, Rich Tiffany, Clayton Tiffany, and Matt Stoll. In addition, Coenen subbed some project components to other local vendors. The audio visual work went to Conference Technology who used Northwest Audio Visual for the complete installation. Northwest AV also handled data and phone components. Other local businesses contributing include Maryville Glass and Lock, Nelson Plumbing, Loch Sand and Construction, Maryville’s American Electric, and Geist Heating and Air Conditioning.

All of the businesses and the individuals contributing to this project, whether mentioned directly here or not, deserve recognition. It is the great “local” work that makes the PAC even more special. Therefore, Maryville R-II would like to publicly thank everyone involved, at any and all levels, for helping make the Lee and Nina Schneider Center for the Performing Arts at Maryville High School a reality.

We invite you to join us at an open house. Date and details will be announced soon. We also invite you to our first large scale production The Music Man scheduled to debut in the PAC on November 10, 12, and 13.