Face-to-face instruction at Slippery Rock University wasn’t the only thing that came to a halt last spring when the coronavirus pandemic swept across the nation.

State orders also paused construction work on campus. But when Gov. Tom Wolf gave the green light for building projects to begin again May 4, crews at SRU were once again on the job.

“COVID-19 has had a major impact on our construction schedule,” said Scott Albert, assistant vice president of facilities, planning and environmental safety. “We continued work on the Performing Arts Center, and what folks will notice immediately when they return is the completed brickwork on the front face of Miller Auditorium.”

A combined $32.5 million renovation to three performing arts buildings, West Gym, East Gym and Miller Auditorium, started in June 2018 and is about 90 percent complete, according to Albert. Those buildings are expected be ready in November, barring any setbacks in the coming weeks.

Upon completion, Miller Auditorium will be expanded by 9,500 square feet and feature a 753-seat performance space, two dance studios, an orchestra pit, a new lobby and a scene shop.

West Gym will house offices and classrooms for SRU’s dance and theatre departments and a dance studio with additional support areas for both departments.

East Gym updates will include a black box theater with seating for 296, a costume shop, acting and design classrooms and a dance studio.

Other projects that are in progress or were completed over the summer include an artificial playing surface at Jack Critchfield Park; a $1.5 million project to replace windows and renovate restrooms at the McKay Education Building; and a combined $240,000 of concrete, asphalt and sealcoating repairs around campus, among many others.

For a full list of projects, visit the SRU’s website at www.sru.edu.

Justin Zackal is a communication specialist with Slippery Rock University.