Construction continues on exciting campus additions, expansions

New Reber-Thomas

With the steel structure erected and most of the concrete floors poured, the New Reber-Thomas dining facility is starting to take shape. A roof has been installed, allowing for the interior work to begin soon. The 120,000-square-foot, two-story structure, located between Residential Commons III and Liberty Lake, will offer 40% more interior space than the current Food Court at Reber-Thomas, with a peak capacity of 2,700 seats. The interior will bear a similar layout to the existing dining hall, featuring about 30 food stations across the venue that will offer a wide array of menu items, including an allergen-free room, a front-facing bake shop in the dessert area (including a gluten-free bake shop), and exhibition kitchen station for hosting cooking classes for students. Plans call for more booths, small and large table configurations, window seating overlooking the Academic Lawn and Liberty Lake, as well as a downstairs seating area. The main level will feature a couple fireplaces. The project is on schedule and should be ready to receive the equipment from the Food Court at Reber-Thomas starting in May. A grand opening is planned for the Fall 2023 semester.

The gaming room currently on the second floor of the Montview Student Union will be moved to the lower level of the New Reber-Thomas, giving students another activity option while visiting. Options in the gaming room include billiards tables, ping pong tables, chess/checkers gaming tables, electronic gaming stations, and foosball and air hockey tables.

Williams Stadium

Upgrades to the south end zone at Williams Stadium have continued on an aggressive schedule this summer in order to be ready for Flames Football home games this fall. Crews have been working seven days a week, and sometimes into the night, to expand seating options. They have graded the berm and added new retaining walls to allow for ground seating for students and overflow crowds. Workers will soon begin building the 23 cabana suites at the top of the section, each accommodating eight people and featuring a TV, fan, heater, and food service.

 

Liberty Multipurpose Center

The new Liberty Multipurpose Center, an indoor facility that will benefit the university’s NCAA, club and intramural sports programs, is making steady progress. Some of the steel for the offices and restroom spaces has already been completed, and construction on the main field space for the center is expected to start next week. The center is scheduled to be completed by November, ahead of the winter weather. The 75,000-foot facility located near the Liberty Tennis Complex will be a major benefit to the baseball, softball, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s lacrosse programs. The surface will be versatile for many sports.

 

Hydaway Lake

The Hydaway Lake expansion project, which will grow the lake near the Hydaway Outdoor Center from 6 to 31 acres, continues on Liberty Mountain. A road has been relocated and crews have begun building a new dam. Once the dam is built, they will begin clearing the balance of the new lake bed (extending to the cleared areas north of the lake shown above) and start the process of filling the new lake area this fall. In addition to swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding, which are available to all students, the lake could also serve student-athletes from the Intramural Sports, Club Sports, and NCAA Division I Athletics teams.

Jerry Falwell Center

Coming in 2023, the new Jerry Falwell Center, to be built directly behind and attached to the Hancock Welcome Center, will give students and guests an immersive look at the faith, vision, and purpose of the university. Through the latest entertainment technology and interactive displays, students will be inspired by the institution’s spiritual heritage and learn how the original mission, Training Champions for Christ, is still being carried out today with biblically based academic excellence. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer. 

South Tower/Dorm 33

Approved in April, two new elevators will be added to the front side of the South Tower that will provide the students with much faster service to its six floors.