Sioux Center, Iowa — A Sioux County institution of higher learning continues to expand and build for the future.
Dordt University officials in Sioux Center tell us that this spring and summer, Dordt plans to begin several construction projects to help free up more living and learning space as the institution continues to grow.
In March, Dordt officials tell us they plan to begin construction on a new set of apartments, which will be located south of Southview Apartments near the new parking lot that overlooks the Dordt prairie. Yet to be named, the apartments will consist of four new buildings and house a total of 96 students. The Board of Trustees gave approval for the construction of the apartments at a recent meeting.
They tell us that this summer, Dordt plans to add 62 more parking spots to campus. In the past two years, students have brought about 350 more vehicles to campus. Although Dordt added 327 new parking spots last summer, there is still a need for additional parking. Adding more spots will help accommodate the increasing number of cars that are present on Dordt’s campus.
Dordt also continues to plan for a new dining commons, which will connect the Campus Center and the B.J. Haan Auditorium. The space will hold approximately 400 people for meal service at a time; the new dining commons will likely be open to students more hours per day than the current facility allows. A skybridge will connect the dining commons to the B.J. Haan Auditorium. Although there are still some details to be finalized, Dordt officials hope that the new dining commons will be completed in 2025, pending board approval.
In addition, Dordt officials tell us they plan to work on a hybrid recital hall/band room, a space where musicians and others will be able to learn and practice and to also perform for smaller audiences. The new space will be able to seat up to 250. Dordt officials anticipate the space being completed in 2025.
They tell us these building projects will help alleviate some of the pressure brought about by increased enrollment. This past fall, Dordt’s enrollment was 1,858, the largest enrollment in Dordt’s history, exceeding the fall 2021 record of 1,786 students. This included a record total degree-seeking undergraduate enrollment of 1,460 – 89 percent of whom live on campus.
