While the idea of bringing guest lecturers and artists to New Albany to share their life paths, inspirations, talents and work with students and residents had merit, no venue existed that could accommodate a large audience.  New Albany School District had always planned to have an auditorium, but it had never been built.  The school uses a small, 150-seat mini-theatre, but no venue exists today to hold even medium sized events. 

As a result, the school district’s Facilities Committee, a group of approximately 40 residents and school representatives, met for the better part of a year leading up to a 2001 ballot issue to make recommendations to the School Board on capital or building needs.  The meetings were held in a public forum.  The Facilities Committee recommended four capital needs to the board.  They included a K-1 Elementary School, a High School expansion, athletic improvements including the football stadium and a performance auditorium.  The ballot issue, a $38 million bond issue, was approved by the community in 2001.  Again, these improvements were identified through a lengthy, public process involving resident committees, school administrators and the Board of Education.