Welcome to our SMC Renovation Blog! We will be posting updates and important information regarding the status of the project here. Please feel free to offer your comments or questions.

What was completed over the Summer?

This summer, Phase 1 of the renovation was completed. This included moving the utilities that were under George St. Moving these utilities will allow us to build on what was formally George St. Phase 1 also included the expansion of the parking lot at the South end of the Student Memorial Center.

The drainage basin that was at the far end of the parking lot was converted to an underground stormwater retention basin and a parking lot was constructed over it. Finally, the sanitary sewer line that exited the building into the sewer lines under George St. was moved to the rear of the building. This portion of Phase 1 is what has been affecting the Fitness Center during the first week of the fall semester.

Fitness Center Update

The aforementioned sanitary sewer line relocation has closed the weight and cardiovascular rooms of the Fitness Center for the first week of the semester. Thirteen pieces of weight equipment have been moved to the Open Rec Area to allow students access to some of the equipment. Due to this, only half of the Open Rec Area is available for basketball. The new cardiovascular room and the racquetball courts are still accessible. Temporarily, the entrance to the Fitness Center has been moved to the Open Rec Area.

As of Wednesday, September 2, the sanitary sewer line relocation is almost completed. All of the trenching has been back-filled and concrete is schedule to be poured today (September 2). After the concrete cures, the flooring will be put back down, the construction area will be cleaned, and the equipment will be moved back from the Open Rec Area. We hope to have the Fitness Center returned to normal early next week.

Thank you for your continued patience as we complete this very important part of the renovation.

What’s next?

The next phase of the renovation will include construction of the addition to the building that will house the new Open Rec Area, Fitness Center, Student Programs Offices, and Student Organization Offices. This construction will begin on September 14 and will continue through the winter and spring. Construction will be occurring on the South and East sides of the building and will close the RMPR building entrance. During this phase, the Student Memorial Center will continue to operate normally and room reservations will be active through May 2010.

Check back often for construction updates!!!