Dakota Middle School Theater Lighting Restoration
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Dakota Middle School was originally known as Rapid City High School, and was built in 1923. The school maintained its name thru the 1970's until all of the students were moved from Rapid City High School to Central High School in 1979 and the building was converted into a middle school and was to be called Dakota Middle School.

The board of education for Rapid City Area Schools has agreed to transform Dakota Middle School into Rapid City High School once again, starting in July 2012. The building will now serve as a third high school, housing the district's alternative programs and, potentially, career and technical education classes. The building will also house a newly renovated theater, which is a collaboration of the school district, the city of Rapid City and the Rapid City Performing Arts Coalition.

Grand Light has been contracted to restore and replicate components of the 40 original lighting fixtures, bringing them back to their original beauty. The fixtures being restored include 11 ceiling fixtures, 15 pendant lights, and 14 wall sconces.

After being shipped via a freight carrier with air suspension capabilities to ensure safe arrival to the Grand Light facility, each fixture undergo their specific restoration process. The 11 ceiling lights will be cleaned and the original finish will be conserved. The 15 pendant lights will be undergo minor repairs to their stems, outer shells, cleaned and their original finish will be conserved, but most importantly will have its original step glass replicated. Over the years these fixtures had modifications to accommodate certain needs and many of the historic glass had been changed, lost, or broken. With only a few surviving pieces left, it was determined that the original glass should be replicated to insure historical accuracy. The 14 sconces will be cleaned and the original finish will be conserved, with glass being replaced as needed. All fixtures will be rewired according to UL standards.

Upon completion the fixtures were thoroughly inspected and hipot tested. The fixtures were then carefully packed and shipped back to the Dakota Theater in South Dakota where they recieved final inspection and approval.

As a final step in the restoration, each fixture underwent visual and mechanical inspections for historic accuracy and structural integrity. All fixtures were tested in accordance with UL standards, which include (4) separate tests: Strain Relief, Continuity, Hi-pot and Function. Each fixture is then individually packaged with bubble wrap and packaged in a marked box indication fixture type provide additional cushioning for the historic fixtures. As a final measure to assure safe arrival, the custom built containers are then filled with packaging peanuts.