Renovations close McMahon Auditorium through April

McMahon Auditorium is closing to the public through April, to allow renovation construction to continue.

City officials said renovations are progressing as scheduled, meaning construction that had been focused on the building’s exterior now has moved inside. That means the auditorium will remain closed for public functions through April 30, to allow contractors to do their work. Closure means no events will be hosted or booked during this time, so construction crews can work uninterrupted on transforming the historic venue, city officials said.

The exterior work, including critical updates to the building’s east side, are complete, city officials said. That has allowed work crews to move inside to begin demolition, then installation of a new state-of-the-art HVAC system, the next step in renovations. These enhancements will provide improved climate control and comfort for future patrons, performers and staff, city officials said.

Funding for the project is coming from two Capital Improvement Programs (CIPs). The 2019 CIP is funding the east side renovations, while Phase 2 (construction of the west side) will be funded via the PROPEL 2040 CIP approved by voters in August 2024.

Projects will include making the balcony area more accessible by adding an elevator; upgrading bathrooms; installing a new fire suppression system; and upgrading the heating/ventilation/air conditioning system. Jason Poudrier, arts and humanities administrator for the City of Lawton, said the projects are bringing the historic auditorium into the modern era.

McMahon Auditorium dates to 1955, with construction funded by Louise and Eugene McMahon through their McMahon Foundation as a gift to the community. Today, the auditorium is heavily used, with events ranging from concerts and art events to graduation ceremonies.

Poudrier said the heavy use McMahon Auditorium sees in an average year is the reason construction was adjusted to close the auditorium only when absolutely necessary. Poudrier, whose offices are on the west side of the complex, said that is why this portion of construction was delayed until after the Christmas holidays, when multiple holiday events were scheduled.

City officials had said the auditorium would be closed between January and late April to work on the HVAC system, then would reopen for some scheduled events before being closed again to complete HVAC work.