A new, renovated residence hall will be ready for sophomore women in the fall.
Christian Village, formerly a nonprofit independent living facility for seniors, is under renovation to become a new residence hall for students. The official name of the residence hall has not been released yet. The ACU Board of Trustees gave final approval for renovation plans in December, and construction began over winter break.
Kevin Roberts, vice president of planning and operations, said a building like this is easy to renovate.
“There is not a whole lot we have to do to it to fix it up,” Roberts said. “It’s configured for rooms and set in place. We are taking down wallpaper, replacing carpet where it needs to be and redoing all the plumbing and electricity.”
The three-story structure will house about 170 residents who will have the opportunity to experience a different residence hall structure than the other active dorms around campus.
“One of the unique things about Christian Village is that the rooms are not the same size,” said Bob Strader, director of residence life and education.
Each room contains a living space, a bedroom and a kitchen. Depending on the size, there are single rooms where two women would stay and double rooms where four women would live in a unit.
Strader said the building has three common spaces, one on each floor for students to have gatherings.
“Almost everybody is impressed by the common spaces,” he said. “There is a lobby on the first floor, but there are also large common spaces on the second and the third floor.”
The third floor common space is different from the first two floors because it’s an outside deck.
“There will be some outdoor furniture, and people will be able to go outside,” Strader said. “I think the three common areas will be a big hit with all the residents.”
The new residence hall will also have a kitchen very similar to the kitchen in Smith-Adams Hall.
“Hands down, it will be the best dorm we have,” Roberts said. “It has gigantic rooms on each floor for activities. It is going to be a really nice space.”
Strader said he thinks the workers can have all the finishing touches, furniture and everything, done by July.
With the addition of this new residence hall, Sikes will house only freshmen, and Morris will decrease to having only two occupants per room.
