Bellevue School Scrambles to Find New Prom Venue After Sudden Closure

International School's senior class faces uncertainty after their chosen location, the Columbia Tower Club, abruptly shuts down just two months before the big event.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:04am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a prom dress repeated in a tight grid pattern, utilizing flat, vibrant neon colors and heavy black outlines to transform the everyday fashion item into a modern pop art piece.The vibrant colors and iconic imagery of a prom dress capture the excitement and anticipation of this high school milestone, even as the Bellevue International School faces a last-minute venue change.Bellevue Today

Bellevue's International School is in a race against time to find a new prom venue after the Columbia Tower Club, their previously booked location, announced it will be closing its doors on April 30th. The senior class of 70 students has been fundraising for this event for six years, and the sudden closure has left them uncertain about their plans and the fate of their hard-earned funds.

Why it matters

This situation underscores the challenges schools face when planning major events and the emotional investment students have in these milestones. The prom is a significant event in the high school journey, and its potential cancellation would be devastating for the Bellevue community. It also raises questions about the reliability of venue bookings and the need for thorough planning to mitigate risks.

The details

The Columbia Tower Club's closure is a significant setback for the school, as they had carefully selected this venue to surpass last year's prom at the Space Needle. With no other venues available, the school is now in a race against time to secure a new location for the much-anticipated event.

  • The Columbia Tower Club will be closing its doors on April 30, 2026.
  • The Bellevue International School's prom is scheduled for just two months after the venue's closure, in June 2026.

The players

Jackson Novotny

The executive vice president of Bellevue's International School, who emphasizes the impact of the venue closure on the community and the students' emotional investment in the prom.

Bellevue International School

A high school in Bellevue, Washington, that is facing a prom crisis after the sudden closure of their chosen venue, the Columbia Tower Club.

Columbia Tower Club

A venue in Bellevue that was previously booked by the Bellevue International School for their prom, but has now announced it will be closing its doors on April 30, 2026.

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What they’re saying

“The students have been working hard to reach this point. The prom is a significant milestone in their high school journey, and its cancellation would be devastating.”

— Jackson Novotny, Executive Vice President, Bellevue International School

What’s next

The school is now in a race against time to secure a new venue for their prom, which is scheduled to take place just two months after the Columbia Tower Club's closure.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of thorough planning and the potential risks associated with venue selection for major school events. It also underscores the emotional connection that students have with these milestones and the need for community support to ensure the prom can still take place.