Located right in the heart of the , the Glenn Miller Ballroom remains one of the best-known and most-visited spaces on the CU-Boulder campus. Since the ballroom opened in 1953, it has hosted musical events, visiting Supreme Court justices, Board of Regents meetings, career fairs, student laser tag and break dancing competitions. But it has been closed since May to receive some much-needed updates.
Carlos Garc铆a, Executive Director of the UMC, discussed the changes with CU-Boulder Today听in advance of the scheduled Jan. 27 grand reopening.
鈥淭he ballroom and the attached catering kitchen are each receiving a thorough facelift. The walls and ceiling will look completely different, the stage will be lowered to bring the performers closer to the audience. We have added skylights as well to welcome in natural light,鈥� he said.
Garc铆a explained that in addition to improving the ballroom鈥檚 appearance, they are also making significant upgrades to the infrastructure and technology behind the scenes.
鈥淲e are adding a new sound system and visual display equipment, both of which are more user-friendly and will help us better serve large crowds. As for the catering kitchen, replacing much of the equipment will allow for an upgraded menu for catered events. In addition, we are replacing the decades-old HVAC system with a new one that will provide better air circulation and temperature control.鈥�
The project has been funded without increasing student fees, with the money for this project coming from three different sources: UMC reserve accounts, student government reserve accounts and a small short-term loan from the campus. Garc铆a said it was therefore critical to him and his team that students play a critical role in the planning and decision making behind these changes.
鈥淭he architects made presentations to our student boards. We learned from that process that skylights were very important to students and it ended up being a really great idea.鈥�
Once it reopens, the ballroom will once again play host to campus events, concerts, lectures and more, and it will offer a number of opportunities for student employment. Garc铆a says he looks forward to the work being complete and everything returning to normal.
鈥淲e鈥檝e already booked over 30 events to be held after the grand reopening on Jan. 27. Everyone is really excited.鈥� Garc铆a added, 鈥淚t will be great to have everybody back because this space brings such an important piece of campus life to this building.鈥�
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