Construction around campus continues

By Online Editor

April 23, 2010 No Comments

The buzz of backhoes and bulldozers rev up again on campus now that old man winter has moved out to make room for spring construction.

With winter weather behind us, construction workers are seeing longer hours to make up for the wet winter. According to Mel Klinkner, vice president for financial planning and administration, the July completion date for the indoor sports facility was five weeks behind at one point due to the rough winter.

“You couldn’t have asked for worse weather conditions on a project like this; but according to Crossland Construction, we are just two weeks behind,” Klinkner said.

With the Chiefs’ debut only months away, renovations on Scanlon Hall, which will also serve as the players’ residents during their stay, will begin at the end of the semester. Along with Scanlon Hall, Vaselakos Hall will also receive routine maintenance during the semester break.

According to Esther Perález, vice president of student affairs, the Vaselakos renovation will complete a four year renovation plan that was started with Beshears in 2006.

“Once Scanlon Hall was completed, it was necessary to improve the living conditions and appearance of the remaining residence halls on MWSU’s campus,” Perález said. “Scanlon Hall will be five years old and is in need of some small items such as carpet replacement and painting.  The ongoing replacement of toilets in Scanlon will be completed with this project.”

According to Klinkner, the total cost of the two halls’ renovations comes in at just under $1 million, which, according to the Director of Facilities, Lonnie Johnson, will include flooring, painting, tile work, new furniture and lighting.

“The contract has been awarded to Crawford Construction of St. Joseph,” Johnson said. “Work will begin immediately after commencement.”

Not only will resident’s halls be receiving routine renovations, but students will begin to see construction on a new resident’s complex.

Elllison-Auxier Architects, Inc., of St. Joseph has been chosen by Missouri Western’s Board of Governors to design and oversee construction of a new residential hall.

According to Perález, students and faculty have already began meeting with architects to ensure the design is what the students want and will continue to use their input throughout the project.

“Students did a great job of assisting the architects in stating their preferences on floor plans and amenities,” Perález said. “This information was very valuable and has allowed the committee to make some important decisions. As other decisions are made in regards to furniture selection and visual design, we will be seeking input from students.”

Students seem to be seeking a more independent living space, where one can have the amenities offered at and off campus apartment with the convenience of living on campus, according to Perález.

Priority wants and needs from the students include a single room, ability to fit a larger bed (full), apartment common space, kitchen with appliances, a larger common space that would include laundry, workout area, social area, as well as an outdoor space.

According to Perález, most, if not all, the listed items should be included in the final design.
The spring sports complex, which will be located at the Faraon entrance of campus, was started in December. However, it, too, suffered setbacks due to an extremely wet winter.

According to Johnson, the contractor has completed concrete flooring and is constructing walls at the stadium restrooms and concession building located on the visitor’s side of Spratt Stadium. Excavation work has begun again on the baseball and softball complex as well.

Klinkler explained that the goal is to have the complex complete by the time the fall 2010 semester begins in August.
Although Remington Hall opened for the spring 2010 semester, construction continues right next door with the renovation of Agenstein Hall.

According to Klinkner, contractors are still working on the Remington Hall punch list, but Agenstein Hall has been completely gutted.

“Agenstein Hall will be completed for the spring 2011 semester,” Klinkner said. “All the asbestos has been removed and now they are into the reconstruction—it will be a great facility.”

One item remaining on the punch list for Remington Hall is the heating in the lounge area around Einstein Bagels.
Klinkner explained that the source of heat for that area will come from Agenstein, so students can expect a warmer dining area once Agenstein is complete.

As major construction continues to dominate the campus scenery, Klinkner explained that smaller campus beautification initiatives continue as well.

Signs, like the one at the Faraon entrance, only smaller, will replace the black signs outside each building. This project should begin within a few weeks.

“With budget cuts we are still able to do all this,” Klinkner said. “It’s all auxiliary money; it’s not coming from the students’ fees except for the spring sports complex, which came from the Max Experience fee. The indoor facility funds came from the city, county as well as the state contributing.”

According to Klinkner the new resident’s hall is being paid for by the students who live in the dorms; the signage project was all donations.

“Missouri Western is very fortunate to be able to get all this in this [economic] environment,” Klinkner said. “Just wish we could put money towards faculty and staff.”