Kingston Campus TransformationsWhile nearly every corner of the University’s Kingston Campus is in a state of change, keeping your finger on the pulse of much of the construction has never been easier. Several on-line sources are regularly updated to provide the latest news, information, and images. Here’s a quick snapshot of some of the projects that have kept folks bustling about, along with web addresses to check in for more:
Steel Rising. The changing profile of the athletic facilities is being led by continued progress on the new URI Convocation Center. The University community recently bid farewell to basketball games at Keaney Gymnasium with record crowds at both the men’s and women’s games. Now many of those fans and others are further supporting the Convocation Center campaign with their purchase of commemorative bricks for the North Plaza entry. You can keep tabs on the progress being made on the Convocation Center by logging onto www.advance.uri.edu/fundraising/convocationcenter and checking the site that’s updated with new images weekly.
Deep Freeze. While the winter’s been warm, there’s still plenty of ice on the horizon for Kingston. The $12 million, 2,500-seat ice arena is framed and getting ready for a fall 2002 opening. Visit www.advance.uri.edu/fundraising/icearena/construction to breeze through progress on the rink.
Building Business. The steel skeleton of the old Ballentine Hall provides a firm foundation for the new form that’s rising. While the building provided vital temporary office space during the spring and summer for faculty and staff displaced from the Chafee Social Science Center, Spring 2003 is the target for completion of the Ballentine renovation and construction project. www.advance.uri.edu/fundraising/ballentinehall/construction for updates.
Back to Class. The temporary closure of the largest facility on the Kingston Campus in December 2000 mobilized the entire community. The Chafee Social Science Center closed while contractors first worked to find and then to eliminate sources of PCBs. After the cleanup and final testing is completed, a final report on the remediation will be submitted to the federal Environmental Protection Agency. The University has also begun the process of medical testing. Throughout this entire process, the University’s utmost concern has been, and continues to be, ensuring the health and safety of students, faculty and staff. The site, www.news.uri.edu/chafeeclosed2.htm, provides more information.
Rooftops to Gables. From the rooftops of Ranger (at top) to the gables and insides of Green (r), restoration progresses at full tilt. At Green Hall, major exterior rehabilitation and interior remodeling is well under way. See the latest at: www.advance.uri.edu/fundraising/greenhall/construction/
Just around the corner. The URI Alumni Association and Division of University Advancement’s new home on Upper College Road will soon be moving off the drawing boards. Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2002 with completion targeted for the end of July 2003. Visit www.advance.uri.edu/whatsnew for more. The URI Foundation moved into its new location on 74 Upper College Road in February and planning is underway for a grand opening.
Refreshed Residences. Refreshed residence halls continue to win favor from students. The $64 million seven-year renovation plan has progressed as scheduled with the completion of Barlow Hall (Aug. 2000), Weldin Hall (Jan. 2001), Bressler Hall (Sept. ’01), and Butterfield Hall (Jan. 2002). As more students vie for the opportunity to live on campus, work on the fifth residence hall, Browning, begins this summer. About 3,500 students, including more than 2,200 freshmen, live in URI’s 18 residence Halls.
Women’s Center. The URI Women’s Center will move to the Upper College Road neighborhood this year. Next to the new Admissions Office, students, faculty, staff, and visitors will soon find the Violence Prevention Program and the Women’s Center office located in the former Phi Sigma Kappa house. Work is beginning this spring, with the programs moving to their new home in the summer. The residential component for women in science and technology, which is based on the model established with the successful URI International Engineering Program, is expected to be available in the fall 2002. Expect to hear more about the Women’s Center later this spring.
By Jhodi Redlich
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