The construction process for the Knowlton Science Center has started its first phase, starting immediately after the groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 1. Currently, workers are removing Rosenberger Drive, prepare the land for the start of construction, pour sidewalks and plant grass.
When moving ground during construction on Oct. 8, a water line burst. Although replacing the water line was not a part of the original plan, the water line was replaced, but Phill Talavania, vice president of Student Affairs and Athletics, said it was a good time to do it since construction was already taking place there.
Depending upon the weather, the university hopes to be done with the first phase before students return in January, Talavinia said. With the first phase in full swing, students have had to walk around the construction site in order to get to their classes.
“For the time being, we understand that there is not an easy cut through from the east to west side of campus,” said Talavinia. “However, having the road run through campus was a safety concern.”
With Rosenberger Drive being a road that had originally cut through campus, many members of the Bluffton community, as well as commuters and other students, would use the road to cross through campus. It could be unsafe at times because that is also where students would walk to class. Although, when construction is complete, Bluffton will become an all-pedestrian campus.
“It’ll be nice to have a new science building that we can all use,” said junior elementary education major Ella Wiley. “However the construction has been an inconvenience for us walking to class right now, it’ll be nice to have sidewalks that are pedestrian-friendly.”
For the time being, students will have to walk around the construction site until the first phase is complete.
