On the Boards: Flathead Valley Community College

The new 68,000 sq. ft. Paul D. Wachholz College Center at Flathead Valley Community College will merge performing arts and fitness with half of the building dedicated to the music department and a shared contract with the Glacier Symphony, while the other half features a gym and student fitness center.

The 1,000+ seat performance hall was designed for “unamplified sound,” meaning the space itself, through shaping, massing, and materials, works to carry sound to the audience. It will be the first venue of its scale in Northwest Montana and construction is scheduled for completion in May 2022.

Fun facts: Massive pre-stressed concrete panels form the two primary spaces (performance hall and gymnasium). The concrete panels not only provide good acoustics, solid structure, simple envelope, and durable finishes, but also sped up the construction schedule with 10 panels set per day. Additionally, the project boasts large ductwork, which creates low volume air and better acoustics.

This will be one high-performance building that does a lot!