Minor Renovations

     The beginnings of yet another construction site at GCSU is set to become a gathering place for students by next fall.
For more than a year blue prints for the new multi-purpose building on West Campus have been improved and approved. After being designed by architects and reviewed by a committee of University staff the construction has begun.
     “The site is currently being leveled and excavated for the drainage system,” said Mark Bowen, project manager for the $2 million structure. “The project for the new multi-purpose building has been in the works for over a year.”
Construction for the building is taking place between the clubhouse and the 600 building. Completion of the project is set to be fall of 2008.
     The 9,000 square foot building will include several features strikingly similar to the amenities currently available on central campus. There will be space for two large classrooms, a dining hall, a vast outdoor deck and will include a unique boardwalk connecting the new multi-purpose building to the existing clubhouse. A café style eatery called Sandella’s will also be located in the building and is available to the public.
     “Sandella’s is a national brand like Chic-fil-A and Blimpie but will be managed by Sodexo,” said Larry Christenson, executive director of University Housing. “It was chosen and approved by the Student Food Advisory Board.”
     The café will feature paninis, quesadillas, wraps and flatbread pizza.
     While next year’s incoming freshmen get to enjoy the new amenities, many current GCSU students are not so sure about what it will take to get there.
     “I’m worried about the noise factor waking me up so early and interrupting my studying,” said Sarah Kirk, a sophomore at GCSU. “I’m going to hate walking on the road right next to all that construction every morning to the shuttle.”
     A daily walk by a construction site poses many safety issues for students.
     Although a path of packed sand and gravel was made as an alternative route for students to avoid the construction zone, it has not been effective.
     “An easy and efficient route has been made from the apartments to the clubhouse and shuttle stop, but students are choosing not to use it,” said Christenson.
     This is understandable considering that recent rain has caused the path to become a muddy marshland that resembles more of an obstacle course than an ordinary concrete sidewalk.
     “We have been in communication with the city of Milledgeville and have gained permission for a temporary access road that will allow students to avoid the construction site,” said Christenson.
     The $15,000 temporary access road will offer a new shuttle stop for Village residents and will allow the construction site to be correctly fenced off. The access road will cut into the parking lot in front of the 600 Building doing away with up to eight parking spaces for a temporary the shuttle stop.
Noise is another issue that can not be as easily remedied.
     “The immense field between the buildings behind the construction site acts like an amphitheater amplifying the sound throughout the area and surrounding apartment buildings,” said Christenson.
     Cindy McClanahan, the marketing coordinator for University Housing at West Campus has some suggestions.
     “Students can expect construction between 8 a.m. and dusk. I suggest students plan their time by utilizing the library or other locations as a place to study. Construction is inconvenient, but the end result will be well worth it.”
     GCSU is finally implementing its long awaited dream of growth, improvement and expansion throughout many campus buildings. However, there have been many sacrifices along the way.
     GCSU’s cross country team could no longer race at home when The Village was built on their training grounds. They are now forced to compete on unfamiliar terrain at different college campuses. Although an athletic swimming pool on West Campus will be available in the future, the GCSU Swim Cats currently must travel to Central State to practice and race.
     “The dean came and talked to us about what we wanted from the new additions at West Campus. I think the new fitness complex will really benefit us swimmers in the future, but right now we don’t even have a place to practice because the on-campus pool is being filled in for more classroom space,” said Charlotte Petonic, a junior and member of the Swim Cats club. “Our pool here was always too short to have competitions but at least we had a place to practice. Now we have to commute and have lost members because of it.”
GCSU’s state-of-the-art living facilities come with a very high price tag. The dorms, The Village and the newly renovated Bell Hall are all less than five years old. These investments have produced a $100 million debt for the University. More than 30 years of tuition will be needed to equalize the debt. Still, the school is nowhere near slowing down spending money.
     The old coffee shop on the bottom floor of Sanford is soon to become a WOW (World of Wings). Yes, it will sell wings in a pub environment, minus the beer of course. The advancements on West Campus are not stopping anytime soon either.
    “We have plans for a much larger student wellness center and recreation center on West Campus. Rock climbing walls, a swimming pool and more,” said Christenson. “We want this to be a place to gather producing the liberal arts concept of a living and learning community.”
     For more information and updates on the construction, join the Facebook group “Village Construction.” Or call Cindy McClanahan at 478-804-4796.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Jan 18 2008. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry