The Optimist
  • Home
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Features
  • Print Edition
    • The Pessimist
    • Special Projects
  • Police Log
  • Classifieds
You are here: Home / News / Summer construction projects finish on schedule

Summer construction projects finish on schedule

August 23, 2016 by Mercedez Hernandez

The after event of the grand opening of Dillard Hall.

The after event of the grand opening of Dillard Hall.

Newly-opened Dillard Hall officially opened in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 19.

Construction on the sophomore women’s residence hall began in March when the university purchased the non-profit senior living center, Christian Village, through a donation from Max and Gayle Dillard.

The renovation cost $2 million and included new wiring, plumbing, flooring and furniture.

“I can’t wait to see the incredible role that Dillard Hall plays in helping us fulfill our mission in educating students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world,” Dr. Phil Schubert said during his speech at the residence hall’s ribbon-cutting.

Steven Holley, vice president and chief business officer, oversees construction and said students are enjoying the large residence hall.

“There are 66 units and large common spaces,” Holley said. “At over 82,000 square feet, Dillard Hall is the largest residence hall on campus, and we are excited to bring it on line.”

Vision in Action updates

Construction on the Halbert-Walling Research Center continues. (Photo by Emily Guajardo)

Construction on the Halbert-Walling Research Center continues. (Photo by Emily Guajardo)

Halbert-Walling Research Center is scheduled to host classes in January 2017.  Holley said the renovations are moving along well with the primary structure of the building complete and workers now installing flooring and doors.

“Halbert-Walling is a very specialized building, being a science facility,” Holley said. “It has been challenging to make sure we are getting the appropriate equipment in the building so the professors will be able to provide the best experience possible for our students.”

The first phase of renovation, focused on the roof and exterior of the Robert R. and Kay Onstead Science Center is complete.The remaining portion will undergo renovation in January 2017, Holley said. Those renovations will include work on restrooms, select classrooms, hallways and an upgrade of the building’s systems.

Holley said the cost for both science buildings have not exceeded the budgeted $45 million.

The construction of Wildcat Stadium, an 8,500-seat football facility, began last spring and will be complete by September 2017, Holley said.

“The football stadium project and the corresponding track and soccer project has a cost of $50 million,” Holley said. “The track and soccer portion of the project is complete and within projections.  It is early in the construction of the football stadium, but we are anticipating achieving that project cost.”

The ever-changing weather of Abilene has posed the most challenges for the construction projects, Holley said, but despite spells of dry and wet weather, all projects are set to be completed on time.

Filed Under: News

Other News:

  • Provost adopts new policy for emeriti faculty

  • Demolition begins on Sherrod residential apartments

  • ACU Gives exceeds goal, raises over $919,000

About Mercedez Hernandez

You are here: Home / News / Summer construction projects finish on schedule

Other News:

  • Provost adopts new policy for emeriti faculty

  • Demolition begins on Sherrod residential apartments

  • ACU Gives exceeds goal, raises over $919,000

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

Retweet on Twitter The Optimist Retweeted
optimistsports Optimist Sports @optimistsports ·
26 Jun

The United Athletic Conference is officially taking the place of the Western Athletic Conference in the 2026-2027 athletic year. The UAC is a joint football effort between the WAC and the ASUN but will now extend to all sports. #acuoptimist #acuathletics #wac #uac

Reply on Twitter 1938240320854008109 Retweet on Twitter 1938240320854008109 2 Like on Twitter 1938240320854008109 7 Twitter 1938240320854008109
Retweet on Twitter The Optimist Retweeted
ashleyh1607 Ashley Henderson @ashleyh1607 ·
3 Jun

My second year at ACU was full of opportunities that grew me as an individual and a journalist.

In my first year as editor in chief of @acuoptimist, we published six print issues, filmed a 3-hour live election show, and revamped our newscast, all while producing news weekly.

Reply on Twitter 1929734328445178254 Retweet on Twitter 1929734328445178254 1 Like on Twitter 1929734328445178254 1 Twitter 1929734328445178254

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

1 years ago

The Optimist

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

2 years ago

The Optimist
"Ending my college education early was always the plan for me, but the things that I have been able to see, experience and examine about ACU’s community were not. I have found immense growth in ACU over the past three and a half years, but ACU still has a long road to climb if it wants to keep catering to students as the world changes around them." To read more of this article visit acuoptimist.com or click the link in our bio. #acu #abilenechristianuniversity #privatechristianuniversity #collegestudentopinion #acuopinion ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 28, 2024

Our top stories today include a recap of The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, the ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 21, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 14, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 24, 2024

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Policies
    • Advertising Policy
    • Letters to the Editor and Reader Comments
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photo Galleries
  • Features
  • Advertise
    • Paid Advertisement
  • Police Log

© 2025 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved