School Receives Approval For Performing Arts Center Expansion

An expansion is planned for the George School’s performing arts center on its Middletown Township campus.

The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors voted in December to approve preliminary and final land development plans for a 3,480-square-foot addition to the Walton Performing Arts Center.

The project includes lobby expansion and renovation along with an outdoor plaza and other grounds improvements surrounding the existing building, officials said.

The current performing arts center measures between 15,000 and 20,000 square feet.

“The application did go in front of the Planning Commission during their November 5th meeting,” said Jim Ennis, the township’s director of building and zoning. “They found no objections to the requested waivers from the subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.”

The Planning Commission recommended approval of the project after a thorough review by township staff and consultants.

Ed Murphy, the attorney for the George School, said that the development remains entirely within the school’s campus boundaries and will not impact adjacent communities or township roads.

“This development is entirely within the campus of the George School,” Murphy said. “There really will not have any current or really future impacts on the adjacent community or township roads.”

Township Engineer Isaac Kessler said most of the requested waivers typically address how properties affect neighboring areas.

“Most of those waivers would be really not applicable because it’s all within the campus itself, and George School is its own neighbor in this project,” Kessler said.

The expansion focuses on improving accessibility and creating enhanced gathering spaces for visitors to the performing arts center.

Murphy explained that the project will not increase the venue’s capacity but will provide better handicapped accessibility and a more pleasant outdoor area for patrons.

“All we’re doing is improving handicapped and otherwise accessible facilities, creating a more pleasant outside gathering area before you go into the performing center,” Murphy said. “We’re not increasing the capacity of the center at all.”

Construction is expected to begin in spring or early summer 2026, with completion targeted for the same timeframe in 2027.

The project moves forward as part of George School’s campus master plan, which includes improvements and additions.