From staff reports LAWTON – Renovations at the McMahon Memorial Auditorium are progressing as scheduled, with work now shifting from the exterior to the interior of the historic venue.
As a result, the auditorium will remain closed through mid-April 2025 to facilitate renovations. No shows will be hosted or booked during this time, allowing construction crews to work uninterrupted on the auditorium’s transformation.
Exterior demolition work is complete, according to Caitlin Gatlin, the city’s communications manager.
Crews are moving inside to begin demolition and installation of a new state-of-theart HVAC system. The internal components of the air conditioning system “are the same age as the 69-year-old building,” said Jason Poudrier, the City of Lawton Arts and Humanities admin-istrator. In addition, new ductwork will be installed. “This will give us better air circulation in the auditorium,” he said.
These enhancements will improve climate control and enhance comfort for patrons, performers, and staff alike.
As part of the City ’s forward-thinking infrastructure plans, the east side renovations were approved under the 2019 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), while the upcoming Phase 2 construction on the west side falls under the PROPEL 2040 CIP.
While citizens may miss the events that typically fill the auditorium’s calendar, the ongoing renovations promise to enhance the landmark venue’s capacity to serve as a premier destination for the arts in southwest Oklahoma. Updates on the construction timeline and reopening plans will be shared as the project advances.