RONDILEAU CAMPUS CENTER GETS MAKEOVER
By James McCarrick
Comment Contributor
The construction on the Rondileau Campus Center is well under way as classes have resumed after summer break. The project began after the commencement ceremonies in May and has been ongoing since then with many anticipating the completion of the project.
“The intention of the construction is accessibility,” said Karen Jason, the associate vice president of facilities management and planning. “By dropping the main entrance down to the street elevation, it will increase student’s access to the building.”
The construction of the RCC is a 3.5 million dollar project. This is the first major renovation to the building since it was built in 1971.
The project is expected to be completed sometime in late October, if not early November.
Jason said that the plans for the project call for more visibility of the courtyard from Park Avenue, due in a large part to plans for energy efficient windows and doors.
Information regarding the construction project can be found on the campus center’s website, under the blog section. Ed Cabellon, the RCC Director, said students, faculty and staff members can go on the website to get a chance to know first-hand about the project.
“We’re very excited about the improvements to the RCC,” Cabellon said. “The ballroom and cafeteria were all renovated within the past ten years, but this is the first renovation to this area of the building. The lounge areas will feature new countertops, new flat screen televisions, and new carpeting throughout.”
Maybe the biggest change to the RCC after construction is complete, is accessibility into the campus center, as there will be no more stairs leading into the front entrance of the building.
“We are glad to be able to give all students, even handicapped, the chance to visit the building,” said Mike Keane, an associate for Civitects, an architectural firm out of Wareham who is designing the project.
Since the project began, the design has been focused around keeping with the common components of the buildings on Park Avenue, such as Pope Hall and the new Conant Math and Science building.
The plans for the renovation call to bring back design elements and incorporate new ones. There will be added windows to provide sweeping views of the courtyard, behind the street entrance.
Up to now, the project is on its way to being completed in time and is a major emphasis for all involved in the project.
Keane said the project needed to be completed in time.
The school is hoping to be able to commemorate the renovation with a small gathering after construction is complete.
James McCarrick is a Comment contributor. Editor-In-Chief Greg Dudek edited this story. Email him at gdudek@student.bridgew.edu.
