Messiah College undertakes multiple construction projects
The summer months at Messiah College were marked by detour
signs, fenced off construction areas, the noise of heavy machinery
and glimpses of progress everywhere! While the students were
home on summer break, the College undertook many projects,
some of which are already significantly affecting the campus landscape.
(Editor’s note: This construction update was written in late
July. Certainly each of these projects already looks different —
consider coming to campus to see the progress for yourself!)
The Calvin and Janet High Center for Worship and Performing
Arts addition to the Climenhaga Fine Arts Center is literally taking
shape! The 92,000-square-foot building will house an 825-seat
performance hall, classrooms, offices, practice rooms, a blackbox
theatre and rehearsal spaces for the College’s growing School
of the Arts.
The High Center is the cornerstone project of the College’sCentennial Campaign, a $40 million fundraising effort.
Recently, contractors have poured footers and constructed wall
sections for foundation work. The elevator shaft has been drilled
and excavation
is finished. The
building is expected
to be complete
in spring 2013.
Due to construction,
Creekside
Drive is often one
way. Please use
caution as you drive
in that area.
The College contracted with the Edwin L. Heim Company to install
a solar thermal system on the roofs of the three residence halls
comprising the North Complex—Grantham, Hess and Miller. The
112-installed solar tube arrays will generate enough energy to meet
all the domestic hot water needs of those buildings—totaling more
than 113,000 square feet and about 470 students.
The system will offset greenhouse gases equivalent to planting
3,600 trees a year or taking 130 cars off the road each year.
This solar thermal project is the fourth largest in the U.S. and is expected to be complete in October.
The iconic covered bridge that spans the Yellow Breeches Creek got
a facelift this summer. The bridge, constructed in 1867 and moved
from Bowmansdale to campus in 1972, is structurally sound and
received new painted wood siding and a cedar shingle roof. The
bridge reopened in mid-August.
The parking lot and rear entrance behind Old Main were closed
throughout the summer for improvements. Crews modified the
grade from the adjacent parking
lot to the back doors of Old
Main, the College’s main
administrative building, for
improved access to persons with
a disability. Additional modifications
include new entry doors,
drywall work in the central
stairwell, new landscaping and
an expanded parking lot.
The four public tennis courts
located along the Yellow
Breeches Creek at the Starry Athletic Complex were resurfaced
and nets were replaced
in the late spring with funds
from the Student Government
Association. Those courts are
available to the public on a
first-come, first-served basis.
Messiah College has made significant improvements to its campus
signage. Most recently, a digital LED sign was placed at the entrance
to the College at the intersection of Grantham Road and College
Avenue. This sign allows the College to personalize messages for
groups that are visiting campus and to provide more detailed
instructions in regards to specific event locations and parking.
In addition, wayfinding signs have been added across
campus to direct visitors to academic buildings, residences and
other campus centers.
Finally, visitors now have the option to take a “green” tour of
campus by following new signs highlighting sustainability practices
everywhere from the dining hall to the library to the student
union. Each sign provides a brief explanation of the project and
notes whether the practice is making a positive impact in regards to
biodiversity, waste, energy and/or engagement.
Visitors interested in this green tour can visit messiah.edu/sustainability for more information.
