Construction of a new building for the marching band and choir at Keokuk High School will finish later this month.
The school broke ground on the 8,000-square-foot addition, located near the corner of Middle Road and Washington Street, last spring. It is expected to open in the coming weeks.
For the past 30 years, Keokuk High School students who participated in the school band or choir had to rehearse in the school cafeteria. Keokuk High School Principal Adam Magliari said the new building will include separate spaces for the school band and choir, as well as a room for a library and another for band uniform storage.
“Our show choir will be able to practice fully in there with a stage and also be able to put staging in for vocal music as well,” Magliari said. “So, they have their side and then our instrument and music have their side. And I will tell you, it is top-notch and it's amazing.”
The $4 million building was funded by the Iowa SAVE fund, which collects and distributes state sales tax revenue for school infrastructure projects.
Magliari said the building’s alarm system is undergoing final safety checks.
“We're just getting everything in line,” Magliari said. “Our hope is to be moving in there by the end of the month.”
Magliari also said he wants to plan an open house for the new addition next spring.
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