Housing hopeful additions will be complete by fall

Residents of Brush Towers and University Park did not want to be left out of the fun and games taking place in Thompson Point. Starting in the fall, they won’t have to be.

After positive reaction to the addition of “Last Resort,” an area that provided an outlet for socialization and games in Lentz Hall, University Housing was anxious to make similar changes to one of the two dining areas on the opposite side of campus.

The additions, which have been discussed for three years, are scheduled to begin May 1. The additions will provide students with a game room and professional dance studio and a number of meeting locations that should be open to students by the fall 2004 semester.

According to Glenn Stine, associate Housing director for facilities, the additions, which will cost a total of $550,000, will be completed by the in-house construction crew of the physical plant. He said that following changes scheduled for fall, a “Phase II” project will provide students with an outside courtyard area.

“It will definitely improve the atmosphere,” said Peggy Corley, associate director of Housing for residence hall dining. “It will give students more choices as far as where to hold events and more gathering places for programs.”

The Board of Trustees officially approved the changes at its Nov. 13 meeting, with the Residence Hall Advisory Board playing a large part in the process. During discussions of the proposed additions, the board provided suggestions to housing as far as what additions students would like to see. The suggestions resulted in the decision to add not only a professional dance studio and game room, but also a study lounge, dining area, conference room and more places for organizations to meet.

Construction will take place throughout the summer, with work being done to provide an area that meets the needs and requests of students. Architects performed an on-site walkthrough and focus groups were arranged to find out the best way to complete these additions that were handicapped accessible.

Crystal Bouhl, coordinator of marketing and public information for Housing, said the additions would provide a positive change and were the direct result of student input and requests.

“I believe Grinnell will benefit students and give them a place to socialize, relax and a place to have positive interaction with their peers,” Bouhl said. “There is already one such area on the lower level of Lentz and students were asking for the same thing in Grinnell. It was a real student generated project.”