Drury works toward renovation of Wallace
Plans for renovations to be completed by fall semester
Leigh Bishop
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: News
Rumors have been circulating around campus about Wallace Hall renovations. While an agreement has not been made, there are preliminary plans.
"Our objective is to totally rehabilitate Wallace by installing elevators, upgrading the laundry center, and getting everything up to moderate code," Drury president Todd Parnell said.
While the plans for the renovation are not official yet, there is a date that construction needs to begin to stay on schedule.
"We would need to start the construction the day after commencement," Parnell said. "We believe we can finish it by mid-August."
According to Parnell, Killian Construction will be working with architecture firm Baron Design.
"I have great confidence in them," Parnell told me.
While Wallace will be "gutted" and the bathrooms and bedrooms will be redone, the outside structure will for the most part remain untouched and retain its facade, something important to Parnell.
"We want it close to the original feel, but have everything be modern inside," he said.
Although the campus has had to do away some with old buildings (most recently Belle and Turner Halls), Parnell does not want Drury to part with Wallace.
"Wallace is such an iconic structure, one we want to preserve," Parnell said.
Although students will probably be surprised by the renovations, they will have an idea of what to expect due to Parnell's idea of putting the floor plans "around campus so students can see what it will look like."
Students will be able to leave their mark on Wallace with the introduction of plaques that will be put on doors.
"It is a chance to honor parents, an opportunity to name rooms," Parnell said.
Proceeds from the plaques will pay for some of the construction costs.
Currently, Sunderland Hall is the residence hall showcased on the admission office tour, with Smith and Wallace Halls being optional stops for prospective students.
"I'm a freshman in Sunderland Hall, and I have to say that even if Wallace had a bunch of renovations done, I still would have chosen Sunderland simply because I have to live alone and can't stand having any sort of roommate," Cera White, freshman, said. "Sure, I could pay extra for a single room in Wallace, but it wouldn't be quite the same as living in a dorm where everyone is in the same position."
There have been rumors going around according to several students that there would be more private rooms in Wallace Hall, however, Parnell said that is untrue, and the double rooms will stay.
"The Living Learning Community that I'm in has helped me to meet many more fellow students than I would have otherwise, so I'm happy that I applied for it," White said. "Now, if Wallace's renovations included more single rooms, a complete technological revamp, and accommodations for LLC groups, then maybe I would have chosen it instead."
"Our objective is to totally rehabilitate Wallace by installing elevators, upgrading the laundry center, and getting everything up to moderate code," Drury president Todd Parnell said.
While the plans for the renovation are not official yet, there is a date that construction needs to begin to stay on schedule.
"We would need to start the construction the day after commencement," Parnell said. "We believe we can finish it by mid-August."
According to Parnell, Killian Construction will be working with architecture firm Baron Design.
"I have great confidence in them," Parnell told me.
While Wallace will be "gutted" and the bathrooms and bedrooms will be redone, the outside structure will for the most part remain untouched and retain its facade, something important to Parnell.
"We want it close to the original feel, but have everything be modern inside," he said.
Although the campus has had to do away some with old buildings (most recently Belle and Turner Halls), Parnell does not want Drury to part with Wallace.
"Wallace is such an iconic structure, one we want to preserve," Parnell said.
Although students will probably be surprised by the renovations, they will have an idea of what to expect due to Parnell's idea of putting the floor plans "around campus so students can see what it will look like."
Students will be able to leave their mark on Wallace with the introduction of plaques that will be put on doors.
"It is a chance to honor parents, an opportunity to name rooms," Parnell said.
Proceeds from the plaques will pay for some of the construction costs.
Currently, Sunderland Hall is the residence hall showcased on the admission office tour, with Smith and Wallace Halls being optional stops for prospective students.
"I'm a freshman in Sunderland Hall, and I have to say that even if Wallace had a bunch of renovations done, I still would have chosen Sunderland simply because I have to live alone and can't stand having any sort of roommate," Cera White, freshman, said. "Sure, I could pay extra for a single room in Wallace, but it wouldn't be quite the same as living in a dorm where everyone is in the same position."
There have been rumors going around according to several students that there would be more private rooms in Wallace Hall, however, Parnell said that is untrue, and the double rooms will stay.
"The Living Learning Community that I'm in has helped me to meet many more fellow students than I would have otherwise, so I'm happy that I applied for it," White said. "Now, if Wallace's renovations included more single rooms, a complete technological revamp, and accommodations for LLC groups, then maybe I would have chosen it instead."
Article last update: 2/2/10 at 8:26 PM CST
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