BLUEFIELD — Bluefield College will open the doors of East River Hall, its first new residence hall in more than 30 years, with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house Aug. 7 at 11:30 a.m.
For the past 10 months, construction crews have worked to complete the building and with just more than a month to go before the start of a new academic year, workers are putting the finishing touches on the $4.3 million structure that will house 100 students.
“This will be a very exciting and historic day for Bluefield College,” said Ruth Blankenship, vice president for institutional advancement. “We are pleased to provide a facility of this quality to our students, and we’re excited about the fact that this is just the first in a series of residence halls designed in the college’s new master plan.”
Construction crews work to complete Bluefield College's East River Hall intime for a grand opening Aug. 7. (Bluefield photo)
|
Construction crews will work now through Aug. 2 on painting and other last-minute interior touches to complete the building. Furniture will arrive and be installed on Aug. 3, just days before the grand opening, which is open to the community and will include a ribbon cutting, remarks from state and local dignitaries, and a tour of the facility. Students will begin to move in the new building on Aug. 8.
“East River Hall will offer students flexible and comfortable living amenities,” said Blankenship, “along with technological resources that enhance the learning experience — all under one roof.”
Bluefield College broke ground on East River Hall in May 2008. Actual construction for the new facility began in October, shortly after United States Congressman Rick Boucher announced the availability of federal funding for the project through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Office.
Construction proceeded for 10 months on East River Hall as crews completed the 24,000-square foot, three-story structure with single- and double-occupancy rooms, as well as apartments with exclusive kitchens and bathrooms.
The building, located in front of Cruise Hall, an existing residence facility, and beside Easley Library, will provide residential students with a “contemporary learning and living space” that “enhances community with more study and social gathering areas,” Blankenship said.
The facility, she added, will feature large commons or living rooms on all three floors, complete with kitchenettes and activity space. All three floors will also feature computer labs and lobbies with the main floor housing laundry and vending facilities.
While enrollment for traditional students at Bluefield College remains stable, demand for on-campus living space is rising. With that trend for growth expected to continue, President David Olive says it can only benefit the school’s efforts to become a more residential community.
“Residence halls are a vital component to the overall living and learning experience,” said Olive, “and we are making major quality-of-life improvements to our residential living program. We’re expecting about 60 more residents on campus this fall than we had last fall, which can only help our efforts to become a more residential campus community.”