GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) – When the renovated Betty Bloomer Ford Auditorium reopens this year at Innovation Central High School, guests will once again enter through doors that are more than a century old - carefully refurbished by the GRPS facilities team.
“The original plan was to replace these doors,” explained Dale Cammenga, GRPS Director of Design, Construction & Renovation. “Salvaging these doors keeps the character of the auditorium - the history and the look.”
The restoration process includes sanding the original wood, applying a fresh stain, and refinishing the existing hardware to honor the craftsmanship of the original design.
“All the work that we're doing in there is to try and preserve the historical significance of the auditorium,” Cammenga said.
Opened in 1911, Innovation Central High School is the oldest continuously operating high school in Michigan. A $40 million renovation completed in 2024 ensures that legacy continues, with major upgrades including 400 restored windows returned to their original size, modern classroom technology, LED lighting, and a new HVAC system.
Phase one of the Betty Bloomer Ford Auditorium renovation, which focused on restoring the architectural features of the historic space, was also completed in 2024. The final phase includes new seating, lighting, and audio equipment, with the auditorium expected to reopen in spring 2026.
