Spring Break
UC remodel receives positive reviews, set for January debut
Earl Arms
Issue date: 12/12/07 Section: News
After almost a year and a half of construction, the University Center is set to go into its final phase of re-building as university administrators and students are anticipating the opening of the newly reconstructed facility.
The new UC will open Jan. 21 with a "soft opening," allowing certain student and community groups to see the UC so that any adjustments can be made before its full opening. The UC will be open to everyone Jan. 26 with the event, "UC Live."
"We're tremendously excited to get the UC open to students," Stephen Summers, deputy assistant chancellor of Student Affairs, said.
The UC has been under construction since the summer of 2006. New additions to the UC will be an auditorium for movies, live shows and meetings, a new ballroom in addition to the Hamilton Center, and a parking lot on the east side of the UC.
Reconstructed parts of the UC include the bowling, recreation and games area, along with an upgrade in dining services including new restaurants called "Tomato Head Red's," "Coyote Jack's" and "Alterra," a coffee shop originally based in Milwaukee.
Bob Barry, executive director of the UC, said that construction workers on-site will increase significantly, almost quadrupling during winter break. With that, Barry also said that the extra help will keep the opening of the UC on schedule.
The results are receiving positive reviews from students, according to Summers. He said tours have been given to various student groups, such as Whitewater Student Government and Peer Mentors, and they have been satisfied that their input has been applied to the rebuilding of the UC.
UW-Whitewater sophomore Jacob Walton received a tour of the UC with WSG. He said there was a lot of community space and it would be beneficial to the entire campus.
"It looks like it's going to be a really nice design," Walton said.
Kim Adams, Student Service program manager for the UC, along with Barry and Summers, said that the Student Entertainment Awareness League has played a big role in funding and being a partner for the new UC. Entertainers that have been scattered around campus at Drumlin Hall or Prairie Street Café will be returning to the UC.
"We're recentralizing the entertainment so that students have a consistent place to come and know something is happening," Barry said.
The new UC will open Jan. 21 with a "soft opening," allowing certain student and community groups to see the UC so that any adjustments can be made before its full opening. The UC will be open to everyone Jan. 26 with the event, "UC Live."
"We're tremendously excited to get the UC open to students," Stephen Summers, deputy assistant chancellor of Student Affairs, said.
The UC has been under construction since the summer of 2006. New additions to the UC will be an auditorium for movies, live shows and meetings, a new ballroom in addition to the Hamilton Center, and a parking lot on the east side of the UC.
Reconstructed parts of the UC include the bowling, recreation and games area, along with an upgrade in dining services including new restaurants called "Tomato Head Red's," "Coyote Jack's" and "Alterra," a coffee shop originally based in Milwaukee.
Bob Barry, executive director of the UC, said that construction workers on-site will increase significantly, almost quadrupling during winter break. With that, Barry also said that the extra help will keep the opening of the UC on schedule.
The results are receiving positive reviews from students, according to Summers. He said tours have been given to various student groups, such as Whitewater Student Government and Peer Mentors, and they have been satisfied that their input has been applied to the rebuilding of the UC.
UW-Whitewater sophomore Jacob Walton received a tour of the UC with WSG. He said there was a lot of community space and it would be beneficial to the entire campus.
"It looks like it's going to be a really nice design," Walton said.
Kim Adams, Student Service program manager for the UC, along with Barry and Summers, said that the Student Entertainment Awareness League has played a big role in funding and being a partner for the new UC. Entertainers that have been scattered around campus at Drumlin Hall or Prairie Street Café will be returning to the UC.
"We're recentralizing the entertainment so that students have a consistent place to come and know something is happening," Barry said.
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