McCullough projects go full speed ahead

Author: Ian Trombulak

The construction on campus has been hard to miss this semester, with major renovations happening on two of the College's most frequented buildings. Students can look forward to McCullough Student Center re-opening before the start of the spring term, and Proctor Dining Hall to be up and running before we return next fall. Both buildings will return with a laundry list of new features and improvements that should make the updated buildings more popular than ever.

According to Director for the Center of Campus Activities and Leadership (CCAL) Doug Adams, the interest in the new Social Space in McCullough has been considerable. He believes that the already heavily used space for performances and gatherings will grow in popularity once it returns in the spring.

"It's been an interesting challenge," said Adams, about relocating performance groups such as Riddim for their fall shows which would typically have been held in McCullough. While CCAL has successfully relocated the majority of shows and events that would normally use the space to other College locations, such as Pepin Gym, Mead Chapel and Nelson Arena, Adams stated that the re-opening of a Middlebury town project, the Town Hall Theater, has been especially helpful for theatrical performances. As for groups planning spring events, CCAL is "already isolating dates for them."

According to Adams, the changes being made to the Social Space are substantial. While they have removed the balcony, the seating capacity will nevertheless increase from 300 to about 410. The steel girders have been removed, but for the most part have been reused. A new wood floor has just been laid, and the overall feeling is that this already multi-purpose facility will now be even more versatile.

Said Adams, "one construction worker described it pretty well, as a space that is valuable but has been neglected." The increase in space will allow for larger events, while old mainstays like Riddim and ISO shows will be making a return for the spring semester. The new space will also be fitted with more comfortable seating, as well as new technology such as a projection system.

Elsewhere on campus, Middlebury's oldest dining hall has remained devoid of students since construction began on it following the departure of Language School students this summer. Many students were unhappy to learn that the popular dining location would be closed for the entirety of the year, feeling cramped in the now overcrowded Ross and Atwater Dining Halls, while dismayed at the distance to Proctor's temporary replacement, Freeman International Center (FIC). However, these complaints will be placated when students return in the fall of 2009 to find Proctor back up and running with its own set of improvements.

"The highlights of the project," said project manager Mark Gleason, "include a new servery and refurbished dining hall, a fully renovated and expanded Book Store … a refurbished Woodstove Lounge," as well as greater accessibility through new entrances and a new loading dock. While it may not affect students quite as much, the building's infrastructure is also being updated, as electrical wiring, fire alarm systems, heating ventilation and air conditioning are all being improved to provide the students and workers alike with a safer, more comfortable atmosphere. The building will re-open in June this coming year, in time for the incoming Language School students.

The projects have been challenging, according to Gleason, in that both are "major renovations in buildings that remain occupied" rather than the ideal situation of having an empty building to work on. However, he said, it has been as smooth as possible and there has been little conflict, "in large part due to the tremendous cooperation of those people who … have gracefully accepted the inconvenience, noise and disruption that construction brings."

However, Gleason said that these challenges have been minimal in contrast to the joy that both projects are slated to be "completed on time and within budget, and that all parties are pleased with the process and the outcome."