Revamped Kenyon to open in spring

Sam Bloch Guest Writer

When Kenyon Hall reopens in March, it will boast a litany of changes, including those made to its dance and athletic departments, a revised main entrance on the east side of the building with a courtyard and indoor lounge, and six all new “smart” classrooms with audio and visual capabilities.

The $21 million overhaul, which began in July 2004 and marks the end of a series of renovations made on campus, was funded in large part by alumni donations and the Vassar general fund. According to Project Manager Dan Fritzsche, the renovations were needed to restore, as well as improve, the building.

“It was a beautiful old building, and within the Vassar community, many people have memories of dancing and athletic events here,” said Fritzsche. “A lot of people here appreciate…the beautiful campus, and some wanted to save it [Kenyon].”

According to Fritzsche, an alum paid for the dance department renovations after discovering that Vassar did not have enough money to finance the changes itself.

The most drastic change made to Kenyon is a 220-seat dance theatre where a 25-yard swimming pool once was, featuring a stage larger than its ten rows of sloped seating. Additionally, a green room with adjacent showers and locker rooms, and a truck dock for loading stage props will be located north of the theatre. A parking lot will be located next to the theatre, replacing the temporary one between Kenyon and Blodgett.

Like much of Kenyon, the dance studios and faculty offices were also “taken all apart and put back together,” according to Fritzsche, to allow for fire sprinklers and improved air circulation and lighting. Another office, as well as a new meeting area, will be located under the second floor dance studio, and the main south entrance will now serve solely as the theatre entrance, wooden sports panels intact.

The renovated building will have a large area with fireplaces and a chandelier over a library-length table. Clubs will use the room for annual dinners or awards ceremonies. “It’s a great place,” remarked Fritzsche.

The two 35-student and four 30-student smart classrooms will be located on two floors just east of the new courtyard, replacing Kenyon’s old showers and locker rooms. In addition to a central control system with access to a variety of digital media, Internet connections, automated control of moving screens, window shades and light adjustments, each room will feature hinging desks to allow for group work in a horseshoe shape around the professor.

Though the basement rowing room and six squash courts will remain after reconstruction for air circulation and safety measures, new showers and locker rooms will replace some of the courts. An elevated office for the squash coach will overlook the remaining courts.

Squash courts will be available for use in October, and Fritzsche hopes the volleyball courts and rowing room will open in January.