September 27, 2021
By Kelli Gile, WVUSD Office of Community Resources
WALNUT, CA--Walnut Valley USD is proud to announce the official Groundbreaking Ceremony for a new 10,000 square-foot music building at South Pointe Middle School.
Please join us as we celebrate this important addition to the award-winning arts education program on Wednesday, October 20 at 3:30 p.m.
The school is beyond excited to expand its performing arts program, according to Principal Dr. Susan Arzola.
“This new music building will have a ripple effect that flows throughout South Pointe’s STEAM program!”
The new building will feature expansive band and choir rooms with 24-foot-tall ceilings, ensemble rooms, instrument storage rooms, practice rooms, music library, and storage room.
The nearly 500 students enrolled in South Pointe’s premier instrumental and vocal music programs comprise over fifty percent of the school’s population.
“I’m most excited for that day we come together for the first rehearsal in the new building” shared band and instrumental music director Susan Willmering.
“To see my students’ eyes light up at that first note together is something I truly look forward to!”
“I’m excited about having a space all our own that we can be proud of,” added choir and drama teacher Robin Wadsworth.
“The show choir risers will help with choreography rehearsals, musical theater, and the extra storage for costumes will be amazing!”
The supersized venue will allow for large group instruction, smaller ensemble rehearsals, and even one-on-one lessons.
“We will be able to fit in a room with enough space to spread out and with great acoustics that allow us to fine tune our music skills,” the band teacher shared.
Practice rooms will have space to include resources such as pianos and equipment.
“This will be amazing upgrade from what we have now!” Willmering said.
Walnut Valley USD’s modernization and construction projects are made possible through voter approval of Bond Measure WV, passed in November 2016.
“This new music building truly shows how much our community values music and the work we do in our band program!” Willmering said.
The Board of Trustees awarded the contract for the South Pointe Music Building to AWI Builders at the September 15, 2021 meeting. AWI Builders’ winning bid for the project was $5,100,911.00.
The construction of the building designed by DC Architects is scheduled to begin October 17, 2021 with a duration of 426 days. Completion is slated for Winter 2022.
The new music building will be located on the north east side of campus. Six existing volleyball courts at the site will be relocated west side of the tennis courts.
South Pointe Middle School is located at 20671 Larkstone Drive in Diamond Bar.