PORT ANGELES — Next month’s Class of 2015 graduation ceremony has been bumped from the Port Angeles High School gymnasium to Civic Field over safety concerns centered around crowding in the gymnasium.
The commencement ceremony is now scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. June 12, at Civic Field on Race Street between Second and Fourth streets.
The ceremony is being relocated because of safety concerns for the number of people who are expected to attend the graduation of about 225 seniors, said Tina Smith O’Hara, spokeswoman for the district.
The gym is filled on graduation night with teachers and administrators, musicians who play or sing during the event, families and friends of the graduates — and, of course, the graduates themselves.
Admission to the gymnasium has been closely controlled due to the large number of family members who attend, and the limited capacity of the gymnasium. Graduation announcements with the gym listed as the location already have been distributed.
The seating capacity for the gymnasium is about 1,300.
In the past, the graduation ceremony has been streamed live online for family members who have not been able to get admission tickets to view it live.
This year, the school allotted five tickets per graduate, with additional tickets distributed as they become available from graduates who do not need all of their tickets.
Civic Field has covered seating for 2,500 people, and standing room is available on the field.
Other gym events, such as tonight’s All City Strings concert, have also been adjusted due to the large number of people who attend the events. About 600 students are scheduled to perform at the annual concert.
The concert was split into two shows, reducing the number of people who are expected to into the gymnasium to see their children perform.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
