Work will begin soon on a major renovation and addition at Moline High School. Tuesday afternoon a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Bartlett Performing Arts Center.
The project will include renovating 35,000 square feet of space - completely gutting and remodeling the 60 year old auditorium - and a 10,000 square foot addition. And when it's completed a year from now, there'll also be new lighting and audio systems, plus a scene shop, dressing rooms, music rooms, and even a multi-purpose room for smaller performances.
The original cost was estimated at 10.75 million dollars, but Monday night the Dispatch and Argus report the school board learned bids came in 1 million dollars higher.
About three-quarters of the cost will be paid for by the Robert E. Bartlett Family Foundation, with the school district paying the rest.
