Tilden-Coil Constructors completed the renovation of the Ramona High School Theater. One of the largest venues in Riverside, this theater serves students in the Riverside Unified School District’s Performing Arts Magnet Program, the Riverside Children’s Theater and the broader community.

“The Ramona Theater renovation was a wonderful project, as I enjoyed seeing an old, outdated facility turn into a state-of-the-art performing arts center that will serve the students of RUSD and the community for many years.  Hundreds of men and women displayed their craftsmanship during the renovation, and I consider it a work of performance art in and of itself.”  - Kevin Hauser, Assistant Director, Facilities Planning and Development, RUSD

Serving the District for over two decades, Tilden-Coil completed this extensive renovation on time and in partnership with the District, Ramona High School administration and LPA Inc., utilizing a CM Multi-Prime delivery.

The interior of the 26,000 square foot, 988 seat theater was completely gutted, and the building was seismically retrofitted. An 1,800 square foot art gallery was added to the building to accommodate handicap access and provide a venue for displaying student artwork. All new building systems were installed:  HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire sprinklers, lighting, sound, motorized rigging and a new catwalk.  Interior improvements include acoustic wall and ceiling treatments, remodeled orchestra pit, restrooms, ticket booth and concession.  To enhance acoustics, the ceiling is a finished drywall system laid out in a saw tooth pattern with a barreled ceiling at the proscenium. Installing this system required a three-tiered dance floor to tie into the perimeter walls.

The project team collaborated very successfully to overcome the overarching challenge of adapting design elements to fit within the existing building shell and achieve the design intent.  Just one example of added value: Tilden-Coil’s in-house BIM experts completed a 3D laser scan of the existing structure to capture precise as-built conditions and ensure accurate structural connections. For more information about our use of laser scanning, click here. Tilden-Coil proactively brought solutions and recommendations to address conditions inherent in remodeling a sixty-year-old building.   With a partnership mindset, meticulous planning and efficient scheduling, the result was an on-time delivery of the theater for District and community use! 

More information about the project can be found here.