What’s with the holes in the ceiling? Construction is happening in the flag room and seating area across from We Proudly Serve Starbucks in the student center.
According to Colin Burdick, assistant director of facilities services, the anticipated student center construction resulted from a “VAV replacement project that was put in place over the past summer.”
Variable Air Volume (VAV) controllers are hot air control boxes, which distribute even proportions of hot and cold air throughout the section in which it is located.
Patrick Cavanaugh, who works in KSC dining, noted the VAV replacements were done in Lloyd’s Marketplace during winter break before heading to the flag room and seating area.
“[They] got it done here first so it was out of the way, so customers could come and go,” Cavanaugh said.
During winter break, the marketplace was limited to only one side, Cavanaugh said.
Burdick said there were “seven VAV control boxes in the building of the student center that had failed and needed replacement.” The devices were roughly “30 years old” and over time became harder to maintain.
“[I] noticed the students want to go and sit down in the areas of construction and can’t wait to have it open again,” said Cavanaugh. He added that many students asked if he knew when it would be done.
Burdick said the facilities department is running behind schedule because of the inevitable possibility of equipment not fitting and having things in the way up in the ceilings.
“We should’ve been done by now, but it took a little longer than expected, ” Burdick stated.
Katie Aquilar can be contacted at
kaguilar@kscequinox.com
