The restoration of Doherty Middle School's historical auditorium will continue for at least three more months.
While the new outdoor steps leading to the auditorium have been totally renovated, inside work continues. Plant and Facilities Director Joe Piantedosi said the inside work should be done in November.
"It's progressing well," he said. "It's a total restoration being done."
Upgrading lights, reburbising chairs, and installing a new ceiling, sound system and stage curtains are just some of the items on the makeover list.
Three Town Meetings approved money for temporary fixes to the auditorium repairs over several years. Finally, $650,000 needed to pay for complete auditorium repairs was approved at Town Meeting 2009.
Piantedosi pledged to "return the auditorium to its original splendor" when the project started last year. He stands by that pledge and said the restoration project is right on track.
Local community groups who use the auditorium welcome the makeover.
"I'm sure there will be local drama groups who would be interested in utilizing it as it has lots of charm and is centrally located," Elly Seavey, who runs Summer Theatre Ensemble, wrote in e-mail. "We were at Doherty for rehearsals two seasons ago."
Mary Donohue, director of the Department of Community Services, remembers the days before online registration when DCS course registration was held there. She especially remembers the falling ceiling tiles.
"It needed to be done," Donohue said of the makeover.
The auditorium's history dates back 75 years. It was built in 1935 to serve as a tribute to local veterans of World War I. Andover's Town Meetings were once held there. These days, it serves as the auditorium for Doherty Middle and will continue to be available to community groups. It was rededicated as the Andover Memorial Building last Memorial Day.
