Sioux Center, Iowa — Construction for Dordt University’s new dining commons and B.J. Haan Auditorium expansion in Sioux Center has started.
Vice President of Operations Fred Verwoerd says earthwork will begin this month and the foundation will be set, with work contained to the area between the Campus Center and the B.J. Haan Auditorium until after commencement. When graduation is complete, the area between the B.J. Haan Auditorium and Kuyper Apartments will be fenced off to allow for work to begin on the east side of the auditorium, in preparation for the recital hall.
Verwoerd says construction zones will likely cause some inconvenience on campus with disruptions in parking and blocked roadways at times.
Dordt officials tell us that connecting the Campus Center and the B.J. Haan Auditorium, the new dining commons will hold approximately 400 people for meal service at a time and will be open to students more hours per day than the current facility allows. The new dining commons will be more centrally located on campus, and it will include an outdoor patio space.
Dordt tells us they are also planning to construct a recital hall / band room, a space where musicians and others will be able to learn, practice, and perform for small audiences. This new space will seat up to 250.
They say both projects should be complete in 2025.
(Courtesy fellow Community First Broadcasting station KSOU in Sioux Center)
