Surf City school opens new activities center

Angelique Flores

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- Art, physical education and drama classes will

never be the same at Pegasus School, thanks to a new 22,000-square-foot

enrichment center.

The Dr. Laura K. Hathaway Activities Center, which opened to students

Tuesday, includes a gymnasium, art studio, 250-seat theater, full

kitchen, lockers and a teacher’s lounge.

“It really was the missing link of our school,” said Nancy Conklin,

the school’s director of admissions. “It’s so surreal that it’s finally

here.”

The 17-year-old school includes preschool through eighth-grade classes

and has 522 students. After a year of construction, the completed

$4.8-million facility has staff, students and parents excited about the

opportunities the new center will offer.

“It’s such a wonderful opportunity for our children and our families,”

Hathaway said.

The gym and recently furbished soccer field, professional-size roller

hockey rink and baseball diamond are ready for the school’s physical

education classes. Athletic classes and games used to be held on the old

outdoor fields.

“It opens up new avenues in physical education and will allow for a

full-fledged art program,” she added.

Art teachers will be able to offer better instruction on drawing and

painting in the studio, now that they won’t have to travel from classroom

to classroom. With the kiln, art classes will also include clay and

ceramic work.

However, art teachers weren’t the only ones who had to travel around.

In previous years, the school had to rent a theater from Orange Coast

College for its drama and musical productions. Now the students will be

able to stay on campus and rehearse, as well as manage their own lighting

and sound.

Drama coach Bruce Fleming will begin training students to be part of

the technical crew.

The comprehensive dramatic arts program will include play production,

acting, technical theater, set and costume design, and lighting.

“It will provide an excellent springboard for students who are going

into secondary school drama programs,” Fleming said.

The kitchen will open for teachers who may use it to bake gingerbread

men with the preschoolers, for cooking in Spanish class or to bake goods

for community service projects. The kitchen will also be available for

parent and teacher events.

“It gives us a wonderful opportunity to enrich,” Conklin said.

The dedication of the building will take place Wednesday for

back-to-school night.