| Watterson renovations going smoothly |
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| Written by Mason Souza, Daily Vidette Staff Writer |
| Tuesday, 27 October 2009 02:41 |
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The Watterson Commons Dining Center has been undergoing renovations this year to serve a growing number of students in a more efficient and modern way. The renovation work began this summer and has been split into six phases in order to keep the dining center open throughout the year. “Because of the magnitude of the renovations, we had to break it down into phases,” Steve Wolfe, associate director for Campus Dining, said. “We couldn’t close it because it serves so many students.” The project is currently in phase two. According to Wolfe, by the time students return to school for spring semester, phase three will be complete. Phases four and five will be complete by next August and phase six will be complete in January 2011.  “There will be a couple of huge visible changes upon completion,” Tracy Widergren, marketing coordinator for Campus Dining, said. “Probably one of the biggest is the change to the walls and ceiling.” According to Widergren, all the concrete walls of the current dining center will be dry walled and painted. A new ceiling will be placed in as well. She said these changes will make Watterson Commons a “brighter, more welcoming facility.” New furniture and flooring will do this as well. “When all is said and done, we will see increased seating capacity in the dining center of about 100,” Widergren said. “And a better traffic flow during busier hours.” Instead of the food vendors being located in one central area, Widergren said they will be placed in “neighborhoods,” each with a unique design and color scheme. Widergren also said the current vendors will be grouped together. Tower Deli and Boomer’s Grill will be featured as a Grill/Deli neighborhood, for example. “This change has a lot to do with helping to alleviate some of the congestion that is often felt during peak hours at Watterson now,” Widergren said. “The food court area can be quite crowded.” Students will no longer be using paper cups and plates in the new Watterson Commons. “We will transition Watterson to permanent dishes and trayless dining, both more sustainable practices,” Widergren said. Wolfe said the transition will start this year and Watterson Commons will completely use new silverware by August. “Modernization and upgrading equipment was also a key factor,” Widergren said. “As was transforming the dining center into a place that meets the needs of today’s students in terms of their dining experience.” Many changes will not be visible to students, but will have great effects on the dining center. “A new dish room is currently being constructed as part of phase two,” Widergren said. The new dish room will allow the dining center to be more environmentally friendly by not using trays. Upgrades will also be made to cooking equipment. Widergren and Wolfe both said the project has gone according to schedule and has been smooth. “From the feedback that I’m getting back from the contractors, they’re saying we’re on track right now,” Wolfe said. The last renovations on Watterson Commons were done between 1996 and 1997. |
