Funding delays construction plans

By Liz Weeker

Construction dates have been set for at least five major projects on Santa Clara's campus for the next two years, starting with the earliest undertaking this spring: the demolition of Kennedy Mall.

In place of the plaza between residence halls Swig and Walsh, a new structure will serve as a common space for the surrounding Residential Learning Communities, which would resemble the first floor of Casa Italiana.

Also in the works are plans to complete the new baseball stadium this spring, begin construction for a new Jesuit residence hall in June, demolish Orradre Library in the summer of 2006 and building a new business school.

According to university officials, the order of this ambitious series of projects depends almost entirely on funding, not the need for temporary library space or other facilities needs during construction.

"They're not interrelated. The library will start when there's money for the library and the Jesuit community will start when there is money for the Jesuit community," said Joe Sugg, assistant vice president of operations.

Sugg is planning on finding room for the interim library once the other projects have been set in motion. Construction of the new Jesuit community may be one of the projects that will affect his choices.

The new residence will be built in place of the parking lot across the street from the Music and Dance Facility and will house Jesuits who currently live in Nobili Hall. That same summer, a new parking lot will be built behind the nearby 7-11 store to compensate for lost parking.

Sugg said that Nobili is over 100 years old and has been used for a number of different purposes during that time. Jesuits have expressed a desire to live in a building other than a former student residence hall.

The new Leavey School of Business project is set to begin in the fall of 2006 at the earliest.

Currently fundraising has generated 21 of the $40 million needed.

Larry Donotoni, director of operations, is optimistic about the financial campaign, but admits it hasn't been easy.

"It's tough fundraising for bricks and morter," Donotoni said. "It's more difficult because people are more interested in other issues like scholarships for students."

At 85,000 square feet, the new business school will be twice the size of the current business building, Kenna Hall, and will consolidate the 90 faculty offices, which are now scattered throughout campus. It will feature a two-story atrium entrance and a cyber-cafe in the main floor lobby.

Another project is that of the new Stephen Schott Baseball Stadium, set to be finished by February of next year. According to Sugg, grass for the infield will be laid by the end of next month, though currently only the peers and concrete foundation has been completed.

"I hope to know by late November if we're going to make it," Sugg said.

*Contact Liz Weeker at (408) 554-4546 or eweeker@scu.edu.