After months of reconstruction, a simple, undecorated lower level of New South was finally unveiled Tuesday night.
The temporary floor plan consists of two new dance studios and two large, carpeted, white-walled rooms. A scattering of tables and a few chairs were all that remained of the former cafeteria.
According to Vice President of Student Affairs Todd Olson, one room will be available for student and university groups to reserve for meetings or special events; the other will be a general lounge area.
At the grand re-opening Tuesday night, the student a capella groups the Phantoms and the Gracenotes, as well as the student band The Mike Pearsall Project, serenaded guests. Many in attendance were optimistic that the renovations would open up more space and opportunities for student groups and social activities.
The new space is especially important to dance teams and groups on campus, who previously had to practice in the cycling room at Yates. “The new dance studios are a really big improvement because we have more space and a nice floor,” said Kelley Bolar (CAS ‘06) of the Georgetown University Dance Company. “It will be good for prospective students to see that there is a place for them to dance at Georgetown.”
“I think the new space will give Georgetown students a nice, new place to get together,” said Joe Martin (CAS ‘05), chair of the Georgetown Program Board, a student organization which plans and sponsors social events on campus. Currently, the GPB is planning a series of themed dance parties in the new space, the first of which will be an 80s party this Friday, Feb. 6th.
Despite the optimism over the reopening of New South’s basement level, many note that the renovation is far from finished.
“We think that it’s exciting, but we’re more excited about the final plans,” said GUSA presidential candidate Chris Schmitter (SFS ‘06). “Rumor has it that it’s going to extend all the way from Leo’s to Village A.”
Olson echoed the students’ excitement for expansion of the new facilities. “We are only in the preliminary stages of planning the further construction,” he said, “but we are very interested to see what’s going to evolve.”
According to Olson, student input will be important in plans for future construction as well as for possible uses of the two new lounges.
