By: Steele Smith, Contributing Writer

For months the sounds of construction have been soundtrack to students’ lives on campus. The sites of both the Rosalind Sallenger Richardson Center for the Arts and the Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium have been buzzing with activity from sunrise to sundown. Work can even be seen continuing through the weekend.

Many people are beginning to wonder when these building will finally be completed. ”          I feel like it’s taking a unnecessarily long time,” says Chris-Marie Mensah ’19.

Wofford’s website reads, “Due to be completed in Spring 2017, the Rosalind S. Richardson Center for the Arts will become home to academic programs in theatre arts, visual arts and art history.”

The 65,000 square foot facility will be a significant upgrade for the many departments it will house, specifically the theatre department. The new center for the arts will boast a 300 seat performance hall, an acting studio and a costume design studio, allowing productions to be a greater reflection of student work and talent.

Jason Burr, associate vice president of facilities and capital projects, reassures that the projects are nearing their end despite some opinion that construction is moving slowly. “The Rosalind S. Richards Center for the Arts and the Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium are both on schedule and on budget,” he says. “Both projects are in the dry and finishing touches are being complete in the Arts Center.”

The Indoor Stadium, not expected to open until Fall 2017, has a little more time left on its timeline. Having counted down the final games in Benjamin Johnson Arena, men’s and women’s basketball as well as women’s volleyball, coaches and fans all await the opening of the new stadium. The 3,400 seat, 123,000 square foot facility is expected to be fully functional for the start of Women’s volleyball season.

“At the Indoor Stadium we are installing interior finishes, completing the HVAC systems and will be beginning exterior sidewalk work in the next few weeks,” says Burr. “There is no reason to believe that we will not be ready.”

As to whether any improvements could be made in the process for future projects on campus, Burr says, “There is a saying in construction: price, quality or speed. You can choose two but can never have all three.”

According to Burr, facilities and capital projects is pleased with the current progress. “We are satisfied with the process and feel Robins and Morton has done a fine job to move the projects along efficiently,” he says. “In construction, it is easy for projects to look like they have stalled once exterior work has neared completion and the majority of the work has shifted to the interior.”