Construction is officially underway on a new band building for Vian Public Schools, marking a significant investment in the district’s growing music program.
The project will transform the remaining shell of the former Vian High School library into a modern, around 3,300-square-foot facility designed specifically for band instruction and rehearsal. The renovation is a collaborative effort between the school district, the Vian Community Foundation (VCF) and Hometown Oklahoma Development LLC.
Most of the space will be dedicated to a large rehearsal hall, utilizing the former library’s 12-foot ceilings and open layout—features officials say make it ideal for acoustics.
Additional construction on the north side of the building will include restrooms, storage areas and practice rooms, while the main entrance will face south. The exterior design will blend elements of the original structure with the newer high school building.
The library structure, part of the original 1950s-era campus, was the only portion spared when the rest of the building was demolished last year. School officials cited its solid condition and adaptable layout as reasons for preserving it.
The total cost of the project is expected to be around $350,000. The VCF has committed $100,000, while the Vian School Board has approved an additional $100,000.
The remaining funding will be provided by Hometown Oklahoma Development, which is also overseeing the design and construction at no cost to the district.
Hometown’s managing owner, Jeff Cotner, said the project will provide long-term benefits for students.
“This will be a great facility, and it should be a big boost to the band program for many years to come,” Cotner said.
Cotner, who previously served on Vian’s school board, stepped down prior to presenting the proposal in January to avoid conflicts of interest.
Under the agreement, Hometown will complete the project and donate the finished facility back to the school.
District leaders say the arrangement allows the project to move forward more efficiently and at a significantly reduced cost.
Estimates for a traditional school-led renovation ranged from $800,000 to more than $1 million.
Superintendent John Brockman worked with legal advisors and the Oklahoma School Board Association to ensure proper procedures were followed.
Acting board president Joe Simon also voiced strong support for the initiative.
The new facility comes as the district’s band program continues to grow under the direction of Jessica Osorto. I In recent years, students have been practicing in a classroom-sized space within the school’s cafetorium. The new building will more than triple the available space.
Leaders of the VCF said the project aligns with their mission to support education and the arts. The organization has contributed more than $500,000 to school-related projects in recent years.
Construction is expected to be completed by August 2026, in time for the start of the 2026– 27 school year, giving Vian band students a dedicated, state-of-theart space to rehearse and perform.
