Haggerty lounge construction continues due to funding issues, construction difficulties
By Gao Na Yang
Despite students' expectations of having a new cozy hot spot by Haggerty and Tyson Halls upon returning after winter break, Haggerty lounge will not open until early February due to several complications.
The lounge currently has seats, tables, a keyboard and a computer station, but there isn't much for students on The Village side of campus to enjoy yet.
Students like senior Rebekah Tjostolvson, who lives in Fields Hall, was given the impression that the lounge was supposed to be completed during winter break. However, they returned to a mere construction site.
"I think it would have been a plus to have it here already," Tjostolvson said. "Especially if I want to grab something, so I don't have to walk to The Cove in this weather."
Senior Katie Carrierers lives in Haggerty Hall and works as a hall receptionist at the front desk for both Tyson and Haggerty Halls.
"We're hoping to get it done soon," she said. "I thought it'd be done over winter break."
According to Michael Walsh, director of Residence Life, the coffee shop will be ready by early February.
ASUP President Colton Coughlin, senior, said that a factor causing the delay is uneven sidewalks at the entrance due to tree roots.
Additional factors in the delay are funding and approval from the administration for the project.
"There has never been an official opening date, but we knew that it would take longer to order the furniture," Coughlin said.
The administration had to approve of the furniture before Residence Life made the purchase, and that also caused a delay, Coughlin said.
New furniture is expected to arrive on Feb. 22, said Paul Luty, director of Facilities Planning and Construction. The lounge will use existing furniture until then, but the coffee shop will be opened before new furniture arrives.
In addition to waiting for furniture, the lounge still needs a paint job, stage, sound system and cabinets. Plumbing and main electrical work is complete.
"It would have been nice to have the lounge at the start of the semester, but it was never feasible," Luty added. "It's going to take more time."
Since the transformation directly involves Carrierers' work area, she's excited to see the final look of the lounge.
"The lounge is going to be good," she said. "You try to get food at The Cove, but you get lazy."
Haggerty Hall resident senior Celia Morte looks forward to the convenience of a nearby food and drink station.
"It'll provide someplace to get food and drinks without going all the way to The Cove," Morte said. "But from frequent visits to my mailbox, I can tell that they aren't making much progress."
A name for the lounge is still in the works as well. ASUP senators have been collecting ideas from their constituents and submitting the ideas during the senate meetings.
Potential names include The Galley, The Buoy, The Purple People Eatery, 1901 and The Anchor.
"I like 'The Anchor,'" Walsh said. "I thought it was cool, but ASUP will most likely choose the name."
ASUP is still unsure of the selection process, but Coughlin is communicating with Fr. John Donato, C.S.C., in the decision.
The grand opening of the Haggerty lounge will be announced, Luty said.
"It's a great project and people are looking forward to it," he said.
Name or no name, grand opening or not, Tjostolvson is ready for the end result of good food and warm drinks.
"I think it'd be a cool stress reliever to take a quick break and run over to get something during a long day of studying," Tjostolvson said. "It'd be so convenient to have the lounge finished ... soon."
