The repairs at Somerville High School’s auditorium are breathtaking. — Photos by Donald Norton

By Donald F. Norton

The Somerville High Auditorium is done and ready for use, after repairs were made for the damage that was done in 2012.

In January of this year, the Board of Aldermen authorized the city to borrow $2.6 million to renovate the Somerville High School auditorium, kitchen and cafeteria. All of these areas had been damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The amount was later increased to $3,090,000 in July. Some of that money used will come from an insurance claim to help pay for damages.

The Auditorium has been given a totally new look: new chairs, floor lighting, stage and lighting for the hall, totally transforming auditorium.

When the work was being done, the huge letter “S” was found to have been covered up from the last update in the 70’s and is now restored to full view. Alderman at large Bill White, himself one of only a few aldermen who actually graduated from the high school, was recently quoted as saying, “The auditorium looks great. Restoring the old Somerville High logo was an excellent idea and it brought back memories since it was covered when the city renovated the auditorium when I was a student there.”

When asked if the pool was finally covered up under the stage he would not say, other than the pool’s existence was to remain a secret. For many decades everyone wondered if it was real or a myth.