$2.5M John Legend Theater in Ohio district nears completion

In this March 17, 2016, file photo, John Legend performs during the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas. The Springfield School District in Springfield, Ohio is nearing completion on its newly renovated John Legend Theater, and officials are trying to determine how it will be shared with the community. AP

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — An Ohio school district is nearing completion on its newly renovated John Legend Theater, and officials are trying to determine how it will be shared with the community.

Legend donated $500,000 for the project. The Oscar- and Grammy-winning artist is a graduate of the Springfield district.

The Springfield News-Sun reports (https://bit.ly/1PQgnvX ) meeting rooms have been made available to community groups since last summer’s opening of the Springfield Center of Innovation: The Dome.

But the Springfield School District will begin charging for their use as well as use of the theater inside once renovations are complete.

Superintendent Bob Hill says they’re working to find a balance between the costs of operating the theater and what users can afford to pay.

The $2.5 million project is expected to be completed by September. TVJ