Providence, R.I.--With PC students scheduled to return to campus in a few weeks for the start of the 2009-10 academic year, the $6 million Slavin Center addition is approaching completion.
Mark F. Rapoza, assistant vice president for capital projects and facilities planning, said workers are set to finish the last few phases of the project over the next couple of weeks. Construction began in January.
In total, 8,800 square feet of new space has been added and 560 square feet of space on three levels has been renovated.
Dedicated student space integral in planning
Throughout the planning phase, student representatives worked closely with the Office of Student Affairs Administration to identify various kinds of gathering places and new programs to be accommodated in the project.
When completed, the footprint of the Slavin Center will be expanded on the south side to provide 24/7 space for students to use for informal social gatherings. This will increase the available space for this use from 600 to 4,700 square feet.
By enclosing the underused courtyard, the College was able to create two new enclosed occupied levels to the building. The lower level will contain a student lounge with an adjacent coffee/smoothie area. The upper level will be a "quiet" student lounge space for studying and small social gatherings. The renovation will expand studio space for WDOM-FM radio and PC TV.
Multiple new seating areas, some with televisions, for students to use in an alcohol-free environment also will be created.
A glass-enclosed, two-story atrium incorporating rooftop photovoltaic cells to harness energy will create a new south-side entrance to the building. Just outside the entrance, facing the Slavin Lawn, an area for musical and other performances also will be installed.
The atrium's design will be comparable to that of the Concannon Fitness Center's Ruane Atrium, providing natural light during the day and needed open space at night.
Engineers predict that the energy produced by the panels will be enough to light the new addition and operate WDOM.
The existing 61,400-square-foot Slavin Center was constructed in 1971. It is home to the Barnes & Noble Providence College Bookstore, '64 Hall, meeting rooms, McPhail's Entertainment Facility, the Office of Career Services, the Office of Student Activities-Involvement-Leadership (S.A.I.L.)/Slavin Center, the Office of Student Affairs Administration, the Office of Off-Campus Living, the Department of Military Science, WDOM, and PC TV.
Project moving along
To date, Rapoza noted that the addition has been enclosed, and electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work has been completed. He added that ramps and stairs are in place and the "pre-cast" cement walls and trim have been installed.
Over the next couple of weeks, workers will finish installing lighting packages, carpeting, equipment in the new food service area, and interior glass. In addition, PC TV and WDOM are being readied for furniture and equipment and are on schedule to broadcast by the beginning of the academic year.
Landscaping of the Slavin Lawn, which includes laying sod and creating a bio-retention area, is expected to be finished by the end of August.
Rapoza said that despite the unusually heavy rain throughout the summer and a five-day work strike at one point, the project is expected to be finished by the time students return at the beginning of September.
"The ambitious schedule set for this project is pretty much intact. Subcontractors are working days, nights, and weekends to make up for any time lost," he said. "All in all, this complicated project has moved along quite well. We are confident that the end product will enhance the student experience at Providence College."
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