Helix Charter High School has a new state of the art performing arts center that will serve the people of La Mesa, Lemon Grove and the entire East County Community.
On Tuesday, Jan. 14, a ribbon cutting ceremony along with a tour of the new 34,194 square-foot facility officially opened the new arts center for business.
Helix Charter High School has a new state of the art performing arts center that will serve the people of La Mesa, Lemon Grove and the entire East County Community.
On Tuesday, Jan. 14, a ribbon cutting ceremony along with a tour of the new 34,194 square-foot facility officially opened the new arts center for business.
Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) Superintendent Ralf Swensen said this is a landmark complex that will aid students and the community at large and that it was a special day for all of those who have worked on this project since its first vision 20 years ago.
Helix Performing Arts Department Chair Gregg Osborn said it was difficult to express the feelings in the opening of this facility.
“We here at Helix Charter are the most fortunate in the county,” he said. “I have been able to work alongside the most hard-working and talented teachers and students. The students that had an opportunity to see the inside of the facility last week was a much needed spark for me, seeing the look of delight an awe on their faces.”
The Performing Arts Complex includes a 410-seat theater, orchestra pit, 112-seat black box theater, and a lobby for tickets and concessions. It provides a dance classroom with dressing rooms, a digital arts classroom, Choral classroom, recital rooms, instrumental classroom, staging areas, stagecraft areas, storage for costume and design and backstage dressing rooms.
County Supervisor Diane Jacob, a Helix High alumnus, said she offered great congratulations to all of those that made the center possible.
“This place is so truly phenomenal and it being a part of Helix High and East County makes it extra special,” she said.
Jacob said this facility puts the arts in the forefront of Performing Arts Center.
“Performing arts prepares our students to go out into the world as well rounded community members,” she said.
La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid said the center is “another gem in our crown.” He said it is especially close to him as all four of his children attended Helix Charter.
The $15.2 million Helix Performing Arts Center was funded through voter approved Proposition U.
