New Comm Building Debut Pushed Back

The new and highly anticipated communications studies and theatre building may have a set time for completion and entry date for anxious communications and theatre professors alike to begin the transition into the new facility. The three-story, 41,983-square foot building broke ground in spring 2007.A Longwood press release estimated the final cost of the project at $11.9 million. John Wood, director of capital planning and construction, said the project's construction cost was $10.7 million. The remainder of the price consisted of equipment and furnishings.

After breaking ground in spring 2007, the original timetable given to faculty and staff was 15 months, placing the completion date around the end of December 2008. Faculty were expecting to begin moving in during the early stages of January 2009, before students returned from their winter break. However, due to budget cuts, the necessary advancement in other campus construction projects and the harsh economy, the new communications studies/theatre building experienced a few minor delays in construction.

"Previous to construction, funding shortfalls became apparent at certain design phases and holdups were encountered while waiting on state approvals for increased funding and scope adjustments to cover the shortfalls," said Wood.

"Capital planning and construction oversees the capital process from project inception to the end of the post-occupancy building warranty period and beyond," said Wood. "We are the interface between state regulatory agencies, architecture and engineering firms and the university community, and facilitate all aspects of the process."

Now, with spring right around the corner and the semester quickly reaching its halfway point, the end is in sight and faculty hope not to experience any more setbacks.

The latest information released is that construction on the new facility should conclude in April. "The building will reach substantial completion in March, and a final completion in April," said Wood. Wood also explained he anticipates that the building will hold its first classes during May summer session beginning the May 18.

"This is it," said Dr. Ramesh Rao, chair of the communication studies and theatre department. "All of the necessary monies are in, so we foresee no further delays of that nature."

With a deadline set for April, Rao said that prospective faculty and staff would begin the moving-in process May 12; however, professors and students would prefer to start as soon as possible. "It's not just moving our offices and books which can be done in only a couple of days," Rao said. "With theatre, they have a lot of equipment dealing with lighting, sound, etc. that could take anywhere from a month to a few months." Rao added that if the move-in process could begin sometime before May, faculty would have the benefit of having students still in session that could assist in the process and presumably speed up the procedure.

Faculty, staff and students have much to look forward to with the addition of the new complex. "The facility will enhance the quality of education by having state-of-the art classrooms for the communications department and theatre department," said Wood. "The building will also feature two theatres, including a black box theatre that will both support space for theatrical productions."

The black box theatre will feature a 174-seat auditorium, where the seats and stage can be moved around to suit all theatrical needs. Also, along with the two theatres, the building will feature a scene shop, costume shop and drafting lab.

In terms of upgrades, however, Rao believes that he and the rest of his department will benefit most from something beyond newer classrooms and equipment. "The biggest advantage is that we will all be together," Rao explained. "Faculty have been scattered across campus throughout four buildings. It will be nice for us to be on the same floor, have offices next door to each other and be able to talk face-to-face in the mornings rather than through e-mails and making phone calls."

Faculty members like Rao are not alone in their longing for the extensive process to conclude. Students are ready to unite as a major and share an environment.

"I think everyone who's a communications or theatre major will benefit from this," said sophomore communications major Sydney Oliver. "We've all gotten used to being in several different buildings to have classes. Being in one building and constantly around the people who are in the same concentration just makes for an overall better learning environment."

What faculty and students both are beginning to witness and experience is what Longwood President Patricia Cormier promised from the start. "It's been a long time coming and a long time overdue, but when you see the finished product, I think you will agree that it was well worth the wait," Cormier said in a ceremony in March 2007. "The building will have the latest equipment and facilities to ensure that our students will graduate with all the tools they need for success.