PEA Acquires Gilman Street for Renovations
Gilman Street, which currently lies between the Love Gymnasium and the tennis courts, may soon no longer be Gilman Street. Because the new Center for Theater and Dance will take the place of the two tennis courts closest to Court Street, the Academy plans to purchase Gilman Street (which lies from Court Street to the footbridge) from the Town of Exeter and alter it from a public road to a pedestrian pathway.
“This will… allow more flexibility in site planning for future facilities, and will allow changes in the traffic pattern to make Gilman Street itself safer and more aesthetically pleasing,” Principal Tom Hassan said in an email to faculty on March 26.
The new center is set to take up 56,000 square feet and will seat 360, providing an upgrade for the theater and dance programs, whose current facilities are experiencing challenges.
“We’re always looking for ways to break the bubble of Exeter, and I think this location will bring members of the Exeter community together with Exeter citizens.”
Exeter Selectmen, elected members of the town government, approved the proposal, but a New Hampshire state statute also requires a majority town vote for any transfer or discontinuation of a roadway. The vote to sell the Academy the street took place during a special town meeting on April 27 and passed 300 in favor to 135 against, which Town Moderator Paul Scafidi described as a “low turnout.”
Further informational sessions took place April 24 and 27, which Hassan encouraged faculty “to attend… and learn more about these exciting projects.”
Now that the vote has passed, Roger Wakeman, chief of planning and facilities, will continue to establish the plan for Gilman Street as a part of the South Campus Master Plan development. This includes the Center for Theater and Dance as well as major athletic complex improvements and now changes to Gilman Street.
Wakeman said that the purchase of the street will allow a level of control that will make way to “improve safety, landscaping aesthetic and to allow flexibility in the location of new construction.”
Town citizens will still have public access to Gilman Park through parking on Chadwick Lane and foot access on the renovated Gilman Street. Wakeman described the situation as ideal for both the school and the town, which will no longer be required to use funds for maintenance.
English instructor Becky Moore said she voted in favor of the proposal because it was the option most beneficial for Exeter students and residents. While some saw the changes as limiting vehicle access, she hoped they will improve aesthetics and looked forward to seeing the pedestrian path.
“Impact to other residents should be limited,” Wakeman said, “and [it] is actually a win-win for the town as the Academy’s improvements will benefit the town.” He added that the area as a whole will be “significantly” improved, including the entrance to the gym, safer areas for pedestrians and better landscaping.
Now that the vote has cleared the way for a purchase to take place, Wakeman said that he will now begin detailed planning and design that will likely be released to the wider Exeter community in the coming fall term. Though little is currently concrete, the plan for the new center is to open in 2018, by which time nearly all current students will have graduated.
Theater Instructor Robert Richards was enthusiastic about the new theater location. While he didn’t have a large role in the architectural and location decision process, he was happy with the conclusion. “We’re always looking for ways to break the bubble of Exeter,” he said, “and I think this location will bring members of the Exeter community together with Exeter citizens.” He added that it will create an interesting and valuable combination of the arts and athletics.
Richards said that the changes to the tennis courts were not ideal, but that tennis hopefully will not be disadvantaged by any of the construction.
However, tennis team members and coaches were also concerned about the potential court displacement. Girls’ Varsity Tennis Coach Chad Freedman said that he was told all the current courts will be kept, but if they are moved “too far away,” it would be difficult to coach all the teams at once and “manage chaos” associated with practices.
“They have to make sure there are enough courts to handle six tennis teams,” Freedman said. He also expressed concern that traffic complications might worsen with the theater and increased visitors, but said he was hopeful that Facilities would take that into consideration and that everything will “work out.”
Despite concerns and potential complications, most students recognize the need for a change from the current theater setup.
Upper Kyra Citron said that the theater “needs to be rebuilt.” There are currently holes in the roof that Citron must place buckets under to collect water. “During performances, you can hear the rain,” she added.
Many students that participate in the acting program said that Fisher theater is “well loved,” but also worn down. Prep Jacqui Byrne explained that the new center will provide a “better environment for performing, and a new facility is great,” although the distance from other buildings and changes to courts might present difficulties.
Upper Quinn Hickey said the current theater is “old and dumpy,” but the history of the theater and character of the black box will be missed when the new center is unveiled.
According to Wakeman, the steps taken so far are only preliminary and smaller details have yet to be worked out. But now that the path has been cleared by Tuesday’s town vote for the Academy to make their desired changes to Gilman Street, a more detailed plan will soon emerge and fundraising will be finalized.