Reaves Center '85 percent complete'

The Donald Julian Reaves Student Activities Center is on schedule with its contracted May 1 completion date.
"Overall, the construction of the building is 85 percent completed," said Ronald Vanard, university architect and the Center's project manager.
"The building will be capable for use shortly after construction completion."
Several installations are ongoing, including lighting, ceilings, railings and interior painting. Upcoming installations will incorporate security equipment, audio visual systems and information technology.
Vanard said the $25 million three-story building is within the budgeted cost to date. State funding was approved several years ago and was taken from the UNC system's capital projects budget.
The Center is a combination of a student union and a recreational facility. It will have two sides which will be referred to as common space and restricted space. The student union side or common space will be fully accessible by anyone, as in the Thompson Center. However, the recreational side or restricted space will be limited to membership. All full-time students are automatic members and are required to swipe their Ram Cards for access.
"The new facility will fill some critical voids as it pertains to campus life for students," said Theo Howard, assistant vice chancellor of student affairs.
"As it stands, there is no facility on campus designated specifically for recreation and fitness."
The fitness center in the Thompson Center is only one room and has a capacity of 15 students.
The new facility will provide fitness centers on each floor, an indoor track and a multi-purpose gymnasium which includes two basketball courts.
The fitness center on the first floor will have a capacity of 95 students, the second floor a capacity of 55 students and the final floor a capacity of 22 students.
The Center will host a bigger food court that will include Subway, Topio's Pizza, Burger Studio and Popeyes. The larger food court will make room for 10 to 15 more employees.
There will be a large seating area as well as a dining space courtside where students can watch basketball.
"I'm excited for the change," said Food Service Director Lakeith Stevenson.
"As an alum it's great to be part of this process."
There will be a lobby, commuter lounge, locker rooms and a space for a future barber/beauty salon as well.
The projected hours of operation for the Center will be 6 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday. The facility will have shorter hours over the weekend.
"These hours may be altered after the opening of the facility. Once we've determined the actual usage trends of the campus community," Howard said.
Parking at the Brown Hall lot will re-open when construction is completed. However, the parking lot will not be used specifically for those visiting the building.
"I expect that the facility will foster overall student development with the opportunities it presents for students to interact in groups," Howard said.
He said group work helps not only with team success but the development of leadership skills critical for the workplace.
"Research shows that facilities such as these have a strong impact on student satisfaction, which has a direct impact on retention. As far as the fitness aspect, we take pride in helping students develop healthy habits for healthy lifestyles."
Howard said students will be heavily involved with the management and supervision of the facility.
He also believes the Center will be a great selling point for Winston-Salem State to attract new students.