Finally – Local Frisco ISD Graduations
For at least the last decade, Frisco ISD has wandered the metroplex for an indoor facility large enough to accommodate our graduations. As a rule of thumb, count on ten guests for every graduating senior. So for a class of 400, you had better count on 4000 guests. Once you find a facility large enough, you have to get in line with all the other schools in our area for desirable dates. For the last several years we have utilized the Garland Special Events center which is approximately 25 miles from Frisco.
On a Wednesday evening, September 26, 2007, that began to change. At a joint meeting of the Frisco ISD Board of Trustees and the Frisco City Council, both entities voted to proceed with negotiations regarding a public-private project with the Dallas Stars to expand the Dr. Pepper Star Center. Jim Lites, president of the Dallas Stars, presented the concept plans to the leaders with assistance from representatives from HKS Partners architects.
Under the plan, the entire facility would be reworked, along with adding a 1,000 car parking garage. The conceptual plan showed everything being upgraded – lighting, acoustics, video capability, and mechanics. Capacity would increase to 6,000 seats, including floor space. Jim Lites stated that the timeline for completion was May 2009.
On May 5, 2009 Frisco High School held their graduation as the first event in the updated facility. Centennial, Liberty, and Wakeland held their graduations the next day.
I wish that all of you could have been there to witness the sense of gratitude and pride so evident in our students, parents, and educators as four senior classes graduated in style and with dignity. So many attendees remarked as to how pleased they were to have access to such an awesome facility in such close proximity. Each ceremony was an unqualified success and our students will enjoy the benefits for many years to come.