St. Thomas University formed a residence renewal committee to set plans for major renovations to Harrington Hall.
“We need to refurbish the building the building absolutely has to be refurbished,” said Jeffery Carleton, university spokesmen.
Plans are not finalized and may not be until the spring, but the committee is tasked with making recommendations to the board of governors. The board will then decide what kind of construction will be done to the 50 year-old-building.
“Residences on campus like Vanier, Harrington and Holy Cross haven’t had a significant renovation for many years,” said Carleton. “And we know what students are looking for in residence has evolved.”
A 2014 survey made it clear to the university that students were expecting more from residences. Carleton said some renovations like placing kitchenettes and other upgrades have already been placed in other residences. But the next big step is to major work done in Harrington Hall and that may lead to the residence being closed off for a full year.
“We want to maintain the existing footprint of the building. We want to have a renewable refurbishment of the physical aspect,” said Carleton.
Some of the plans may include work to plumbing, electricity, washroom layout, gender neutral bathrooms, and others. Carleton said and those plans take time. Matty Cripps, a resident of Harrington for a year and half, agrees there needs to be work.
“There definitely needs to be renovations,” said the third year student.
Cripps mentioned some of the bathrooms in the residence needing major repair. He felt given the age of the building there needs to be renovations but he’s worried about the possibility of the residence closing for a year.
“I’ve had people tell me if they’re not living in Harrington they won’t be living in residence,” said Cripps.
He said he always recommends Harrington to incoming students and feels the university may lose out on a history. Cripps stressed that he’s made so many friends there and he felt people are genuinely open and friendly. He was hoping repairs could be made in the summer, and stressed something has to be done.
“There’s no way around it. It has to be renovated,” said Cripps. “It’s in terrible shape.”
Carleton stressed that plans haven’t been finalized yet and the committee is taking suggestions from students.
“We can’t make a final decision until we know what kind of project will do,” said Carleton. “We can’t put a timeline on it until we know the cost of the project.”
