Argo High School Opens New Performing Arts Center

SUMMIT, IL — Members of the Argo Community High School District 217 Board of Education, faculty and elected officials joined Richard and Sharon Portillo as the ribbon was cut on the Richard and Sharon Portillo Performing Arts Center Aug. 18. According to a release from the school, the Portillo family generously donated $1 million toward the completion of the $17.5 million project.

Additional funding was secured through Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB), which are offered by the federal government, and enable the District to borrow money at little to no interest, according to the release. Argo Community High School is one of only 29 school districts from Illinois selected for this funding opportunity.

According to the release, six years of planning and research by the Board of Education has culminated in the building of this state-of- the-art Performing Arts Center that will be used annually by hundreds of students in the theater, vocal and instrumental music programs.

The Richard and Sharon Portillo Performing Arts Center includes: 45,000 square foot center, auditorium with seating for 430, band/orchestra room, chorale room, theater classroom, prop shop, rehearsal rooms, and a green room with dressing rooms and related spaces.

Photo provided by Argo Community High School.