On Monday, a renovated Village C Formal Lounge opened as an entertainment area designed for student socializing. The lounge currently contains two pools tables, a foosball table, a jukebox, a big screen television and many couches and chairs.
The lounge will be open from 2 p.m. to 12 a.m. Thursdays through Sundays and 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
The lounge will also include a kitchen area and an office for InterHall, though these spaces are not yet completed. Both are expected to be finished by the beginning of the spring semester.
The kitchen area, Jack’s, will sell snack items such as soft pretzels, nachos and cheese, milkshakes, soda, hot chocolate and coffee. The area will be also be staffed with InterHall employees.
The renovated lounge was originally scheduled to open in August, but the opening was postponed due to infrastructure leaks.
Various students involved in InterHall, a group responsible for advocacy and programming in on-campus residence halls and apartments, and the Georgetown University Student Association initiated and developed the renovation plans for the lounge. InterHall will organize all programming in the future and staff the lounge and kitchen area.
Funds for the renovation and maintenance of the lounge were provided by the Board of Regents, the Alumni Association and the Provost’s office. The Board of Regents donated $43,000 to pay for furniture and entertainment equipment. The Alumni Association has donated $125,000 which will fund maintenance and staff for the lounge in segments of $25,000 for each of the next five years.
Provost Dorothy Brown also contributed $400,000 from her office for the significant renovation of the room. Vice President for Student Affairs Juan Gonzalez said she contributed the funds because she was convinced there was a need for space and programming on campus.
According to Gonzalez Georgetown’s campus is missing an area for students to have fun and relax.
“4,800 students don’t have places where they can congregate,” Gonzalez said. “The lounge starts filling a gap that’s sorely needed.”
According to Jon Olson (SFS ‘04), president of InterHall, planning for the lounge was geared to create a place for students to socialize instead of a place to study.
A grand opening celebration will be held in the lounge Jan. 11 and 12.
