When dust settles, enhanced facilities will emerge
When students returned for the fall semester, they were greeted by clouds of dust resulting from a construction boom on campus.
While the $36.5 million Gottwald Center for the Sciences opened on time for classes and research, the atrium is still being completed. Construction continues on University Forum, a $3 million open-air plaza featuring views of Westhampton Lake, while Heilman Dining Center is undergoing a $9.9 million expansion and remodeling. In addition, construction began on Weinstein Center for Recreation and Wellness in September.
“During these construction projects, faculty, staff and students may experience some temporary detours, parking restrictions and dust,” said John Hoogakker, associate vice president for facilities. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation while we work to make major improvements to the campus.”
Also undergoing renovation is The Cellar, a venue for live entertainment and casual dining. The $200,000 project, scheduled for completion by spring break, will expand the kitchen and add new dining space.
“We will also be able to use the new kitchen if needed during the dining hall renovation,” said Blake Widdowson, assistant director of dining services.
The new Gottwald Center for the Sciences includes an organic chemistry lab, biochemistry and neuroscience labs, a quantitative science center, a nuclear magnetic resonance center and a digital biological imaging center, said Andrew F. Newcomb, dean of arts and sciences.
When completed, University Forum will be the hub of campus and a new location for outdoor events, said Hoggakker. “One of the highlights will be Wilton Way, a bricked, pedestrian mall that will physically connect the arts (Booker Hall of Music), sciences, (Gottwald Center for the Sciences), spiritual life (Cannon Memorial Chapel and Wilton Interfaith Center) and student life (Tyler Haynes Commons and Heilman Dining Center).” It is scheduled for completion in November.
The expanded dining center will feature group gathering areas and space for late-night study, along with late night hours in an expanded retail space. There will be display cooking areas, a Mongolian grill, woks and expanded dessert offerings. It is expected to be completed in September 2006.
Construction of the Weinstein Center for Recreation and Wellness, a $13.5 million facility, will feature expanded cardio- and strength-training facilities, an elevated jogging track, a three-court gymnasium, casual meeting areas, locker rooms and instructional space. It will open for the spring 2007 semester.
Fundraising has begun to create Westhampton Center, a $3 million complex that will include the historic Deanery and a new, adjacent building of similar size. Westhampton Center will make room for the college’s growing staff, programs and resources.
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