BY CATHERINE HINES – STAFF WRITER
If you walk into the Facilities Management building on campus, you will see a large whiteboard with a list of 13 projects and the word “DONE” next to each in all capital letters. This summer proved to be quite busy for all those in the office as campus was buzzing with renovations, office relocations, upgrades, and even the addition of parking spaces.
Director of Facilities Management Wayne Kingtold The Cento about four of the larger projects in great detail: the Nevin Hall renovations, locker room upgrades in Sutcliffe Hall, and remodeling of the second floor of Old Centre as well as the completion of the Bungalow’s renovation.
NEVIN HALL
Nevin Hall is now a co-ed dorm for first-year students, complete with all new bathrooms. Each bathroom was gutted down to the cement walls and redesigned with new individual standing showers as opposed to the “gang showers” it previously boasted. All new fixtures, paint, and tile make these bathrooms “transformational”, a word a former Nevin Hall resident used to describe the changes.
Nevin received a “much needed update,” Director of Student Life and Housing Ann Young said. Nevin also, according to Young, was one of the last holdouts on campus regarding co-ed dorms. This this update aligned perfectly with the transition from single-gender to co-edin Acheson-Caldwell, Cheek-Evans, and Yerkes. Director of Residence life Jacob Raderer, says the switch to all co-ed dorms “Has been a-okay,” and that he and Young both are pleased with how first-year students as well as upper classmen have taken to this change.
“This has provided the students with a good opportunity to get to know other people in their class, outside of activities such as athletics.” Young said.
SUTCLIFFE HALL
The four largest locker rooms in the back of Sutcliffe Hall received a face-lift as well. They now have individual showers with glass doors, custom carpet, drop ceilings, air conditioning, card access, LED lighting, and a fresh coat of paint.
“The privacy concerns for the locker rooms are now much better,” King said.
OLD CENTRE
Old Centre received new front steps and a second floor makeover this summer. King, who has been at Centre since 1971, said the steps previously in front of the building were not those originally in place when the building was constructed in 1820. Because the steps are made of sandstone, they will need to be replaced again in the future.
On the second floor, room was made for the Admissions office to welcome prospective students and their parents was created. They also refinished the hardwood floors in the foyer going up to and including the second floor. There is new carpeting and furniture, which instantly greets visitors with a warm welcome.
THE “BUNGALOW”
The Bungalow, the nickname given to the house moved in the middle of the night from North Fifth Street last winter to West Walnut Street, received major upgrades.
“That house was stripped down to the wood studs and brick” King said.
Throughout the upgrade process, King made significant efforts to furnish the house with windows and doors that were closest to the design of the building’s original design.
“Wayne is the master behind preserving historical elements of all campus buildings,” Young said.
All of the above projects were part of a conscious effort to be energy efficient on campus. For example, all new light fixtures use LED lights which, King noted, “decrease energy usage by 40% and have a life expectancy of eight to fifteen years.” In addition, all new windows on 122 St. Mildred Court, the Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Kappa Tau, and Sigma Chi fraternity houses are energy efficient.
Keep in mind, all of these major projects are just a portion of a long list of projects.
“These are just projects,” King said. “They do not include all of the maintenance that we do year-round to make certain that all campus buildings are ready for all of the activity that goes on here