Restoration underway for old SHS Auditorium

Larry Crowe, whose company has invested in and reconstructed many buildings in Sallisaw, has announced plans to restore the old Sallisaw High School auditorium into a fine arts center.

“We believe the restoration of the auditorium will provide a venue for large indoor events, recitals and entertainment as a performing arts center,” Crowe says.

Crowe, who recently purchased the building, says he plans to redo not only the interior part of the building, but also part of the park surrounding the old SHS rotunda, or what remains of the old high school that caught fire in 2004 and is now under the preservation of the Old Sallisaw High School Association (OSHSA).

Crowe, who is in partnership with OSHSA, says OSHSA is giving up one-third of the park. “I want to build a parking area there with angled parking. I also want a curved driveway in front of the auditorium. I plan to keep the handicap-accessible side entrance, but will probably do away with the one located up front,” he says.

Located on West Creek Avenue, the building, which has not been in use for several years, now has a collapsed ceiling due to leaks in the roof from significant rains. The stage, which was once used by students for plays and musicals, has holes in the floor, but the bathrooms are intact. The seats in the auditorium are still in place, though some may need a few minor repairs, painting and cleaning.

Crowe says he will redo the roof, walls and floors, add bleachers to the stage, and redo the bathrooms and seats. The building has four restrooms, but two are in good shape, he says. “I plan to dry this out and get the electric on and begin the work.

“It needs a lot of work, I know, and it’s not a project that will be completed right away. I figure it’s going to take about three years,” he says.

“At present, the auditorium needs a new roof. The seating is in total disrepair. The ceiling must be replaced, and the vandalism to the restrooms, doors and walls must be addressed,” Crowe says. In addition, parking for the auditorium will include a section of the old Sallisaw High School Park for handicap accessible and additional parking.

“But once it is finished, the people from the community will have a place to hold musicals, plays or whatever they may want to use the auditorium for. I know it will expand the improvements made in town to include the back portion. I just think it will look nice,” he says.

Crowe says he is dedicated to Sallisaw and Sequoyah County as the area to express his visions and designs. The downtown parks have been completed and many buildings have been rehabilitated during the past seven years. He has skilled construction people who work well with him, he says, to complete major projects in a minimal amount of time.

“Sound business practices are applied to make projects self-supporting.” As an honorary alumnus of the OSHSA, Crowe says he pledges to complete the project of restoring the auditorium in a minimal amount of time.

The OSHSA was formed in 1995, and an arsonist burned the school in 2004. The grounds were left in rubble until 2015 when the current OSHSA renewed the charter and was deeded the property by the city of Sallisaw with conditions to improve the park within two years.

The project was completed within 18 months. In 2017, the OSHSA began a lease for the old cafeteria to use for reunions, meetings and events. The improvements of the park and cafeteria are funded solely on donations from alumni and friends.

Crowe says Crowe Companies is taking full financial responsibility for the restoration project with 100% funding.

“This property is in the southwest corner of downtown Sallisaw, and I’m dedicated to uplifting and preserving downtown,” Crowe says.

“All of these kinds of works support the local economy and small business people who are my friends and my customers. I love rehabbing old buildings, especially the ones that might be due to be torn down. I think that’s important. We don’t do enough of that anymore.

“But we have the museum, the park redefined and if we get this done, it will continue to connect us to downtown. It’s an important area,” he says.

“I can see it from here.”