Buildings To See Changes

ELM STREET DINING HALLFollowing an installation of a double conveyor belt to convert to trayless dining and reduce water waste, Elm Street Dining Hall will undergo another series of renovations this summer.Dining Services Manager Dan Ferland said that the renovations were necessary for making the dining hall a place to serve students better and create a quieter working environment. “The dining hall has been working out fine, but it definitely needs some upgrades,” Ferland said. “For starters, the serveries are designed with one main line, so our through-put is very tight. As you can see on busy days, the line can go all the way out the door sometimes. The lighting and sound panel updates are much needed. We are in a position where anything we can do to upgrade, we are excited for.”Director of Facilities Management Roger Wakeman outlined the work that is being planned for the next two upcoming summers.“The work that we started on the dish room, the mechanical work, and the work on the entryway that was already under contract is going to continue, and right now we are working on finalizing for this summer what scope may occur,” Wakeman said. “We may be working on the lighting and ceilings this summer, but that is still being developed, and then in the summer of 2014 will be more of the major reconfiguration of the dining areas and the larger portion of the project.”Ferland voiced his wish to gain the support of the Academy community for the renovations at Elm Street Dining Hall. “We are hoping that we get thesupport of everyone as it is a much needed

update to an aging facility,” he said. “As the building’s structure comes from a really fa- mous architect, we would also like to work to preserve the integrity of the building and the architecture here.”WEBSTER HALLAlthough some dormitories will receive minor fixes and renovations this summer, Webster Hall will begin its first phase of a major two-year renovation project. Designed to completely revamp the dormitory, this first-year renovation will include work on the building’s exterior while second-year work is slated for interior and systems-related work.Built in 1912, Webster Hall cel- ebrated its centennial anniversary last year. However, some of the structural and interior aspects of the dormitory have been requiring renovations for a few years, and this summer will mark the beginning of those efforts. After summer 2014, Webster residents will see one integrated dormitory, such as Main Street Hall and Ewald Hall, instead of their current system of being the only dorm to share one building, yet still function as two, separate dormitories.Many residents of Webster Hall expressed their excitement at the new direction that their dorm will be taking in the coming school years. “I’m very excited about the renovation. I don’t mind the cur- rent Webster very much, but we do have the reputation for being not a very good dorm in terms of facilities,” prep Chris Vazan said. “I think it will be very nice after the renovations.”LAMONT HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTERThe regeneration of Lamont’s Health and Wellness Center is one of the largest renovations happening on campus over the summer.In the past, the building, which is hid- den behind the Phelps Science Building next to Lamont Hall, created problems for many in the Exeter community. The old building posed trivial problems in health classrooms by not having enough space around the Harkness tables to walk around, but also serious issues such as not having enough beds to accommodate sick students during the flu outbreak.The designs for a project on the Lamont Health and Wellness Center, which requires a new addition of code required stairs and an elevator, were completed in January 2013 with construction starting two months later in March 2013, accord-

ing to Phillips Exeter Academy’s Facilities Management website.The overlap of the project’s start and spring term has resulted in makeshift trailers set up next to the construction site. Though the trailers’ interiors are hard to distinguish from the inside of any health care building, the general lack of space has created some serious problems. Sick students cannot be guaranteed a room, tired students cannot fatigue and health classes have moved to the third floor of the Academy building.“It’s going to be a challenge in that we are doing this as a transitional project, but there was no way that we could get it done for the opening of school without having it start in the spring term,” Wakeman said. “We told the campus two years ago that with this additional focus in renewal proj- ects, it was going to impact the campus in some ways during the year because there is not enough time in the summer to do these projects.”WILLIAMS HOUSEWilliams House is one of a few dorms on campus that will have some minor renovations over the summer, though some construction is already underway, with a stairwell being added. Most of the building work will be done over the summer so as not to interfere with the faculty and students living in the dormitory.“We are doing everything we can to be ready once graduation comes. The building will empty after graduation and we can do most of the construction over the summer,” Wakeman said.However, the small amount of build- ing work, which began spring term, has not only hindered some students and faculty, but also caused injuries. Amidst the chaotic preparations and work a faculty member fell into a two-story tall opening that was left uncovered by the construction workers.“We are concerned and disappointed that this happened and appreciated her working with us on the response,” Wake- man said. “It was an unfortunate incident and as our number one goal on the project is safety. We are certainly doing our best not to repeat this.”

In order to avoid another dangerous situation, the contractors working in and around Will House have been reminded of the occupational and safety health require- ments, with more connection being built between the safety team and contractors. Both groups said they were looking at the outside of the construction fence more care- fully now, according to Wakeman.