Performing Arts Complex ready for audiences
SLIPPERY ROCK — Students returning to Slippery Rock University will see some new sights as they return to campus this year.
The university's Performing Arts Complex has been under construction for years. Scott Albert, assistant vice president of facilities, planning and environmental safety, said the three buildings that make it up — Stoner East, Stoner West and the Performing Arts Center — will have four major changes.
The gymnasium in Stoner East was converted from a basketball court to a black-box theater. The pool between Stoner East and Stoner West was filled in and converted into a dance studio. A scene shop was built onto the back of the performance center and two dance studios were built on its front, Albert said.
“I think last time students would have been in Stoner was 2018 or 2019,” he said. “Miller was shut down for a while because there was asbestos mitigation that had to be cleared out for renovation. It has probably been seven or eight years in the works.”
A Thursday news release from the university said the expansion and renovation project cost $33 million, and Albert said it was completed in July.
Albert also said there are a few projects still in the works at the university that students might notice. There are two parking lots being repaved, and the main pedestrian corridor that connects the university's upper and lower campuses is being refinished with new concrete and other repairs.
These projects will be completed in September, according to Albert, and probably won't interfere with student life.
“There are paths immediately parallel to the path,” he said of the pedestrian corridor. “We have more parking spaces than parking passes sold this year. I'm sure that disturbs some of our students.”
The news release lists several upcoming construction projects the university will take on, including a renovation to the University Union building, which will total around $18.3 million.
“We're in construction document design for that right now,” Albert said.
