Mundelein High inking new deal for graduation ceremonies at Sears Centre
Mundelein High School graduation ceremonies would be held at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates through 2018 under a deal being considered Tuesday.
The 11,000-seat venue hosted the school's commencement exercises in 2014 and again this past May. School officials are happy with the site, citing ample parking, a strong sound system and air conditioning among its advantages.
The Sears Centre has more than enough seating for audience members, Mundelein High spokesman Ron Girard said. Each graduate is allotted up to 15 tickets for relatives, far more than had been available at past venues.
Girard is keen on other aspects of the arena, too.
"The seating is theater-style, which means there's not a bad seat in the house ... and the multiple large screens make viewing easy," he said.
Mundelein's graduation ceremony was held in the high school's football stadium until 2005. Poor weather occasionally forced the event into a gym.
The event moved to Lake Zurich's Quentin Road Bible Baptist Church in 2005. Ceremonies were at the church through 2009.
Graduation then moved to the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake in 2010 and then to the Libertyville Sports Complex in 2012.
The three-year deal being considered by the Mundelein High School board would cost the district $34,125 for each of the 2016 and 2017 ceremonies and $36,679 for the 2018 ceremony.
Traveling to Hoffman Estates from Mundelein hasn't been an issue for parents, Girard said.
More than 500 students are expected to graduate this year.
Opened in 2006, the Sears Centre is owned by Hoffman Estates. It's become a common site for graduation ceremonies.
Libertyville, Stevenson, Fremd, Schaumburg and Conant are among the high schools that stage the event at the venue.
The school board will review the proposed Sears Centre contract Tuesday. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at Mundelein High, 1350 W. Hawley St.
A vote is set for Oct. 13.