An interior view of the roof work at the Field House.
Renovation work in the Field House continues to progress on time and on budget this summer. Recently, the steel structure that will support the new fitness mezzanine was completed. Demolition work and the installation of a new roof and wall panels also continue, with the use of two cranes.
The steel structure that will support the new fitness mezzanine is now in place.
Starting early next week (Monday or Tuesday, June 23 or 24) there may be minor traffic interruptions as a work crew mobilizes in front of the Physical Plant. This will include moving a large excavator, fencing and other miscellaneous tools down from the Quad to the front of the plant.
In addition, toward the end of the week, we are expecting deliveries of large concrete precast trench sections to the construction site on the Hazard Quad, which may briefly disrupt the flow of traffic on College Road, near the Route 135 entrance. When the trucks carrying the large trench sections arrive, Campus Police will be on hand to direct traffic, although you may experience some delays as the large trucks make their way up to the Quad.
Reminder about Founders/Green
Anyone who works in Founders or Green Halls knows that demolition activity has been well underway in the passage between the two buildings. As a reminder, portions of the buildings will be closed this summer. Please note:
You may have noticed the little flags that have popped up on a patch of grass between the Lulu and the Physical Plant. These flags indicate existing underground utilities in an area where digging will soon begin. This project is part of the campus renewal work this summer to replace existing underground utilities that bring hot water and steam to the residence halls in the Hazard Quad, including Munger.
This project will ensure that there is a reliable hot water and steam system serving the Quad, which is important work that must happen before the renovations to Munger, Beebe, and Caz can begin. (Munger is the first residence hall slated for renovations and is scheduled to begin next summer.)
The utility lines start at the Physical Plant and run through an existing tunnel system up to Beebe. From there they cross the Quad underground to Schneider. A majority of the work is within the tunnel system and underground in the Quad, but there is a small portion that will take place inside the Physical Plant, Beebe, Shafer and Pomeroy to tie into the building systems. The work planned for the Quad will be the most intricate. As such, access to the Quad this summer will be limited. You will also see some work outside the Power Plant this summer to repair a water line.
These upgrades are scheduled to be completed by August 21 in time for Orientation.
Next week, June 23-27, the pathway from the Jewett Arts Center parking lot up the hill to the Quad, as well as the walkway from the Pendleton West loading dock to the Quad, will be closed to pedestrians. We need to close these paths for the week so that preliminary geotechnology work can be performed in the sloped area where Pendleton West and the Jewett Arts Center meet. This work must be done in anticipation of the renovations to Pendleton West, which are scheduled to begin next summer.
This week, a construction crane arrived at the Field House, to assist in the demolition of the old roof, and the construction of the new, insulated metal panel roof. The crane will be repositioned along the south side of the Field House as roof work continues through the summer.
With administrative offices moving into the newly renovated Schneider Center this week, we officially begin the first phase of a multi-phase renovation project in Founders and Green halls.
This first phase of work will be completed this summer, and will be generally focused on the area of the buildings informally known as “Green Hall South” and “Founders Hall North.” Renovations will bring together academic departments in one location, update faculty offices and classrooms, create more common spaces, and improve the accessibility of these historic and iconic buildings.
What You Can Expect
The work this summer in Founders/Green will be noisy. Construction workers will generally be in the building Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., and they strive to do the more disruptive activity earlier in the morning.
Beginning this week and throughout the duration of the project this summer, portions of Green and Founders will be closed. Please note:
Additionally, the road that goes under the Green Hall archways will need to be closed periodically, while a new ramp to improve accessibility is installed.
Summer Moves
This summer, three academic departments—East Asian Languages and Cultures, Spanish, and French—will move out of the building until the renovation work is complete. Faculty and staff in those departments can best be reached by email over the summer.
Additionally, HR will relocate temporarily this summer just down the hall on the first floor of Green Hall, to the space where Student Financial Services has recently moved out of. HR will return to their existing offices at the end of the summer.
The historic Schneider Center is coming alive once again. Visible from the outside are new windows, a new front entrance vestibule, repointed brick, and a first floor extension area in the back that has been enclosed and clad in copper.
Soon you’ll also be able to see how the inside has been transformed, with original architectural details restored, thanks to the yearlong renovations that are about to be completed—on time and on budget.
Beginning June 9, the student-centered offices that will be housed in Schneider will move to their new location. This includes:
By mid-June, the Schneider Center will be open and fully functioning, representing an important new way of organizing administrative offices to better serve Wellesley students and the College community. Additionally, when students return to campus in the fall, the already vibrant neighborhood around Schneider will become all the more so—with opportunities to build on adjacencies with the programs and offices in nearby Billings, Clapp Library, the Chapel and Multifaith Center, Slater, CE House, and Harambee House.
Will you be on campus this summer? Come by and see the beautifully renovated building and new office spaces. Otherwise, we look forward to celebrating the re-opening of Schneider with a community gathering at the start of the fall semester.
The Field House Design Team held two open forums this spring to provide the community an overview of the Field House renovation project and to seek input on specific questions. Using an existing wall in the Field House as a “Graffiti Wall,” (right) forum attendees “exercised their opinions” to provide feedback on the renovated Field House. Didn’t have a chance to voice your opinion? There is still time—by answering the below two questions, either in the comments section of this blog, or by emailing Bridget Belgiovine directly.
We have heard from a number of students with questions about the cardio relocation to Caz. Below are some of the questions received and answers to those questions.
If you have additional questions, you can leave a comment in the space below, or email Bridget Belgiovine, director of athletics and department chair.
Q: Is there any way to hook up TVs in Caz?
A: Fortunately all cardio areas are temporary and we will be in our permanent home soon. We encourage users to supply their own devices during the renovation period.
Q. Can we get jump ropes to utilize in Caz?
A: Unfortunately, the space isn’t set up to accommodate jump ropes, given the low hanging light fixtures.
Q: Could a rowing erg be added to the Caz fitness space, similar to the one that existed in the KSC Fieldhouse cardio corner?
A: Yes! The erg machine has recently been moved into the Caz cardio space.
Q. Could you please provide workouts/intervals for students to use as a guide in the relocated Spin Room in KSC lower level squash court?
A: Becky Kimball, director of sports performance & wellness, and her staff are currently working on several workouts that will be laminated and left in the spin room for general users.
Since Spring Break, Turner Construction has been busy preparing the Field House and surrounding area for renovation. A temporary walkway (at right) and stairs are being installed along the Upper Field. This alternate route will allow you to go around the site when the existing walkway is closed for construction.
Inside the Field House, work is under way in advance of the first major step in the renovation: An area of the existing floor will be removed to allow for foundation work associated with the new fitness mezzanine.