LISBON — Lisbon is closing in on plans for a new performing arts center.

“We’ve had ongoing conversations with the architect,” said Superintendent Rich Green. “They’re coming up with designs and options for what we can physically fit in that space.”

The school committee approved hiring an architecture firm in May to examine the building, do preliminary designs and come up with cost estimates.

The space is the high school’s old gymnasium, and is now a makeshift home for music and performances, with a stage at one end and chairs that are hauled out and set up on the old gym floor prior to shows.

Lisbon’s school department is working with Scott Simons Architects. The firm designed the newer high school gymnasium that opened in 2015. The gym was designed with bleachers that can be pushed back, LED lighting, and a design that allows natural light to shine through for energy efficiency.

Green said the school hopes the renovated arts center could fit 500 seats, some of which could be moved in and out.

The school department also needs to determine how it’s going to pay for the project.

“The plan of the committee with this project is to ideally bring in the money without going to bond,” said Green.

A performing arts center initiative has already started to raise money for the project.

Green expects designs to be ready for a first look by the weekend, with cost estimates coming in by mid-November.

chris@timesrecord.com