Construction and repairs on Sewell Theatre have been completed.

The project to renovate some of the outdated features in Sewell began in July and was completed at the beginning of this week.

Scot Colley, the executive director of Risk Management and Construction, said that the project consisted of an installation of new equipment in Sewell

“We did an upgrade on some of the systems in the Sewell Theatre, the bulk of which was an automatic sprinkler system, classroom remodel and some ADA enhancements,” he said.

The auditorium, built in 1929 and located on the Southwest corner of campus, that has previously served as the Chapel auditorium and the College Church of Christ, is currently used by the Theatre department as a home base for theatre design and construction. Colley believes that the changes will benefit the Theatre department.

Throughout the construction, Colley said a total of 7 sub-contractors worked on the project with anywhere from three to fifteen employees working under them.

Though the majority of the repairs were focused inside of Sewell itself, certain portions of the project were conducted outside. A trench for the sprinkler system was dug from Sewell to Campus Court near the front of the Hardin Administration building.

The sprinkler system was tied into the water line on Campus Court and looped into Sewell. The surface repair of the road where they connected the line is still to be completed.

“The patch and repair of the street must be done by the City of Abilene. A request for this repair has been submitted,” said Colley. “We are on their schedule but no specific date has been given.”

The traffic cones that are along the side of Campus Court will remain until the street repairs are finished by the city. Colley remarked that the traffic that normally runs through Campus Court had a minimal impact on the project.

Though the traffic did not cause issues during the construction, Hilary VanSickle, junior communication disorders major from Mesquite finds the cones along Campus Court a little intrusive.

“The construction is really tiring. I feel like I’m going to run into someone when I drive around it,” said VanSickle. “I just feel like not using that street at all.”

Other students, like Laura James, junior elementary education major from Midland, find that the construction is just a part of campus life.

“As long as it’s something that is important to the advancement of the university, I can handle the slight disturbance for a short time,” said James.