Construction on the Bowdoin College Museum of Art might be winding down, but for Director of Capital Projects Don Borkowski, a day's work is never done.
With the art museum nearing completion, four out of six first-year bricks finished, and Studzinksi Hall holding its inaugural concert this weekend, the College is starting to prepare for its next big projects.
Next on the agenda are the renovation of Adams Hall and the construction of a new hockey arena.
The renovation of Adams Hall, which is scheduled to begin June 4, looks to improve the building's ventilation system and handicapped accessibility. Adams Hall currently houses the Environmental Studies Department, the Community Service Resource Center, and a number of classroom spaces.
"It's sorely needed. It really needs an update," Borkowski said.
Construction on the new hockey arena, located by Farley Field House and Harpswell Apartments, will also begin this summer.
"We hope to break ground in July," said Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer Katy Longley, noting that the College is just waiting for its permit from the Department of Environmental Protection.
The construction of the hockey rink will require the College relocate the men's soccer field farther down Harpswell Road. According to Borkowski, the new field should be completed this spring, but will not be put into use until the fall.
This summer, the College will also renovate 30 College St. to include dining areas, a kitchen for students who keep kosher or halal, and a large meeting space that can accommodate the needs of Bowdoin's multicultural students.
In the near future, the College will also start the construction of a new fitness center to replace Watson gym, the third-smallest fitness center in the NESCAC.
"The funding is not in place yet, but if it is by the time we complete the design, we will start construction next spring," Borkowski said.
The College also plans to complete the renovations of Maine and Winthrop halls this summer, making the Class of 2011 the first incoming class to live in all eight first-year bricks at the same time.
According to Borkowski, Maine and Winthrop halls are coming in on time and under budget; he noted that the College pre-purchased a lot of the necessary equipment when renovating the first four bricks. Borkowski also said that having the other first-year dorms under its belt, the constructions crew now knows what to expect with the final two.
"I think we found efficiencies along the way," he said.
Although next year's students may feel like construction has quieted down, there is always something to be renovated, said Borkowski.
"Over a typical summer, we do over 100 projects?people don't even realize," he said, noting that the recent renovation of the investments office on 80 Federal St. and the creation of a new pier and ramp at the Coastal Studies Center have gone largely unnoticed, since they are not part of most students' everyday lives.
"Between the bricks, the recital hall, and Walker [Art Building], they all took place in the heart of campus. Things will quiet down on the Quad for awhile," Borkowski said.
Longley agreed.
"Since I've been here since 2002, there's been construction every year. It will be nice to get the Quad back," she said.