SRU kicks off summer renovation projects
Several renovation projects will take place at Slippery Rock University during the summer months, including a $4 million improvement project to Bailey Library.
May 16, 2017
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Not long after graduates doffed their mortarboard caps at one of Saturday's three commencement ceremonies at Slippery Rock University, construction workers arrived on campus with mortarboards of a different nature - the ones that carry actual mortar.
The University wasted no time in kicking off its aggressive summer construction schedule. And, while the tasks may cause a minor disruption to the University's summer activities, the improvements are welcome signs of progress.
"Our goal is to get as much work done that we can in the timeframe that will cause the least amount of disruption to the campus," said Scott Albert, assistant vice president for facilities and planning. "Many of the projects will address a combination of energy efficiency and deferred maintenance."
The two most significant projects this summer include a $6.5 million renovation to the Strain Behavioral Science Building, which will close from July 15 through July 2018; and a $4 million improvement project to Bailey Library that began May 15.
ALBERT
"When classes resume in the fall, the value and the amount of construction will be on a much larger scale than what is typical for our campus," Albert added.
The improvements to the BSB will include state-of-the-art classroom and lab space for the Safety Management Department; increased classroom space, including an interactive television classroom; a student art gallery; and study space, including a new ROTC lounge area.
During the renovation, 13 classrooms and labs will be closed, safety management offices will be relocated to Patterson Hall and safety management classes will be conducted in the McKay Education Building and Carruth Rizza Hall. The existing ITV classrooms will be relocated to Room 119 of the Eisenberg Classroom Building and Room 106 of the Vincent Science Hall.
The Bailey Library improvements will include added computer lab and study spaces, a redesigned entryway and an expanded café. Additionally, there will be new administrative and faculty offices as well as the return of the Career Education and Development and Academic Services offices to their previous locations on the first floor. Also, the Center for Teaching Excellence offices will enter one dedicated location with the building. The project, with an expected completion date of December, will see most sections of the library remain open throughout the process.
During the renovation, the Office of Career Education and Development will be temporarily relocated to Room 104 of the Vincent Science Hall; the Academic Services Office to Room 203 of the University Union; and the Center for Teaching Excellence to the third floor of Patterson Hall.
Projects that will be started and completed during the summer months include:
-Various energy savings projects totaling $13.3 million, including updates to exterior lighting.
-Water conservation projects totaling an estimated $445,000, including air handling units in the Morrow Field House swimming pool.
-The replacement of chiller units for air conditioning in nine campus buildings, totaling $2.7 million.
-Continued improvements for walkway and parking accessibility, including upgrades to the Gail Rose Stadium Lodge, Morrow Field House, Swope Music Hall and Egli Soccer Field.
-Maintenance renovations, including the campus water tank, the second floor of Rhoads Hall, the elevator in Weisenfluh Dining Hall and the blinking traffic light near the Advanced Technology and Science Hall on Kiester Road.
-Enhancements to academic environments, such as improved acoustical properties to the Swope Music Hall band room and classrooms in Spotts World Culture Building and the Eisenberg Classroom Building, as well as the addition of two classrooms on the second floor of Spotts.
Because of delays through state funding provided by the Department of General Services, renovations to Miller Auditorium, East Gym and West Gym are tentatively scheduled to begin during the fall semester. Plans for Miller Auditorium include improvements to the performance space, which will include seating for 753, two new dance studios, an orchestra pit and a scene shop. West Gym improvements will include enhanced and additional office space, classroom and studio space for the dance and theatre departments. East Hall will have a new "black box" theater with seating for 296, a new costume shop, acting and design classrooms and a dance studio.
Estimated completion dates for those projects, known collectively as the SRU Performing Arts Center, will be determined once renovations begin.
MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 | justin.zackal@sru.edu