A fresh new look
PC Dukes to expand dining facility
 Sketch courtesy of Dining Services
MMM Design Group of Norfolk recieved preliminary appproval of its sketches for the new PC Dukes.
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Dining Services will expand PC Dukes to create additional dining space.
The provisional plans include enclosure of the exterior steps and additional
seating and food services in the PC Ballroom, said Clete Myers, director
of Dining Services.
The second floor, currently where PC Ballroom exists, would be converted
to include several restaurants with seating areas specifically partitioned
for each restaurant, Myers said. A third floor mezzanine level also
is planned to expand seating areas.
"We have determined that PC Dukes will remain open during the
construction process," Myers said. The completion of the project
depends on the timeliness of the design and construction of the expansion,
as well as the programs that are scheduled in PC Ballroom.
Myers said that construction could begin as early as May 2005. The
first phase of construction would renovate the existing dining area
in PC Dukes. Subsequent phases of construction to complete the second
and third floors’ renovations would continue during the school
year, Myers said. PC Ballroom will no longer exist following construction.
The earliest completion date is August 2005. The estimated preliminary
construction cost is $2.75 million.
"Hopefully, the [expansion] will help eliminate lunch traffic and
organize the sections better," junior Erin Sochaski said.
Additional food stations included in the expansion have not yet been
finalized. Dining Services will decide on this with help from the Student
Government Association Food Advisory Committee and focus groups of students.
New food service outlets on the second floor possibly could include
"a Mongolian Grill and a Starbucks," Myers said.
The Food Advisory Committee is composed of seven students who send
around questionnaires each week, collecting input about catering and
vending services around campus.
MMM Design Group of Norfolk has worked on some preliminary drawings for the project, but a contractor has not been chosen yet, Myers said.
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