Since the start of the academic year, some student groups have been running into problems when attempting to book Kresge Auditorium, a popular event space in the Visual Arts Center, due to recent renovations to the space.

The renovations began mid-July of this year and are currently undergoing finishing touches. The changes to the auditorium include the construction of an improved lift, new flooring for the stage and the addition of handrails along the aisles.

These renovations have limited Kresge’s availability for various events, as the space is no longer fully accessible due to the new lift’s not having been inspected yet. Student groups have been able to book the auditorium on a limited basis, with alternative spaces being provided for events with audiences that may have people who need to use the lift. In an email to the Orient, Associate Vice President for Facilities and Capital Projects Jeff Tuttle explained the College’s reasoning for limiting Kresge’s usage.

“We did not feel comfortable making the auditorium completely available without scrutiny when it would not be accessible to all of those who may have wanted to attend an event. We apologize for the inconvenience as we know the location is popular for a variety of different campus events,” Tuttle wrote.

For situations where the audience of an event is known and accounted for, and there are no accessibility issues, the space has been open and available for use.

“Groups have been able to book the space albeit on a limited basis.… [F]or events when the audience is known and there is no one with accessibility issues, Kresge has been used and is available,” Tuttle wrote.

One of the final steps of the renovation process is a final inspection from the state of Maine regarding the new lift. Maine currently has a very small number of elevator inspectors, which makes the timeline for the completion of an inspection difficult to gauge.

“[W]e are awaiting a final inspection from the state before we are able to put [the lift] into service. We are in the queue, and we do not have a definitive date, but hopefully it is soon,” Tuttle wrote.