The newest construction project on the University of Colorado at Boulder campus - a Center for Community located just south of Hallett Hall off of Regent Drive - will celebrate breaking ground on April 13 with a ceremony highlighting the beginning of excavation for the 323,000-square-foot project.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, which will take place on the east corner of the Center for Community site from 3 to 4:30 p.m., attendees will witness a Native American ground blessing and musical entertainment by a CU-Boulder graduate student, Elizabeth Allred. The ceremony also will include remarks by Interim Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano and other university officials and student leaders. After the ceremony, attendees are invited to "dig in" to mud pie and other refreshments.
Scheduled to open in late 2010, the center will be home to key student services and programs and the largest dining center on campus with the capacity to serve 900 people, said Julie Wong, vice chancellor for student affairs.
"The Center for Community will transform the ways in which we serve our students, providing a wide array of services, an exciting new dining facility, and a hub for student activities that will serve both off campus students and those living in the residence halls. We are all excited to break ground on this amazing facility," said Wong.
Disability Services will gain particular benefits from the new building, said Wong. Offices for the service will be relocated from the third floor of Willard Hall, currently not ADA approved, to the first floor of the new center.
Disability Services will provide a sign language interpreter for the event. The groundbreaking ceremony will be held in a large tent if inclement weather arises. Attendees should wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.