Before construction began, the dining hall had a total of 700 seats available. Currently, the dining hall has a capacity of 600, with 284 seats in Homeplate, 220 seats in Food Court, 60 in Paganucci Lounge, formerly known as Tindle Lounge, and 36 in the lobby, according to David Newlove, the director of Dartmouth Dining Services. An additional 224 seats will be available during the Winter term on the renovated second floor, he added.
The seating area in Food Court will be closed during Winter term for renovations, although the kitchen area will remain open, Newlove said. Customers will be able to order food by entering the dining area through a covered walkway leading from the lobby to the food service area, according to Newlove.
Homeplate will close for Spring term as renovation begins on the main kitchen, according to Newlove. Seating will be available in Food Court and on the second floor, and food will be served out of a partial new kitchen in the back of Food Court.
Several Student Assembly representatives met with Newlove last Spring to discuss the timeline of dining hall renovations and their effect on student life, Assembly members Olivia Korostelina '13 and Mason Cole '13 said.
"Major changes were completed over the summer so they would be less disruptive for students," Cole said.
The College administration set up the '53 Commons Advisory Committee, a group of student leaders from multiple organizations around campus including Class Council and Greek Council, in order to get the "full Dartmouth student perspective" on the renovations, summer Student Body President Aaron Limonthas 12 said.
"We met every week in the summer and discussed everything from the set-up, to food, to tiles on the floor," Limonthas said. "Student input is important because [the Commons] is going to last for decades."
Limonthas said students should keep in mind that the renovations are a "work in progress."
"There's a lot of change, and a lot of people are wondering what's going on," Limonthas said. "It's going to be worth it in the end."
Dining options will include a traditional dining line, a salad bar and a grill. Kosher, Halal, vegan and vegetarian entrees will also be available, he said.
The Class of 1953 Commons will close next summer for final renovations and will reopen next fall with a seating capacity of 1,000. Collis Cafe, Courtyard Cafe and Novack Cafe will remain open during the Summer term.
The renovated dining hall will feature an open layout, including a hearth stove, a bakery and an "action station" where customers can watch their food being prepared. The second floor will include a larger area for dances and performances, and additional social spaces, according to Newlove. The Class of 1953 Commons will also be fully handicap-accessible.
As part of the most recent stage of renovations, the booth-style tables and raised platforms were removed from Homeplate. Additional seating was installed outside of Homeplate and in Paganucci Lounge.
"It's a lot more spacious," Angela Dunnham '13 said. "I think it's very accommodating to groups as well. I like it personally it's a different look, something to get adjusted to."
However, some students interviewed by The Dartmouth expressed concern over decreased seating availability.
"There's a lot less seating space," Mitiyiana Thompson '11 said. "Even with the expanded seating in Tindle Lounge, it feels a lot smaller."
Ashley Gadsden '11 also said she did not like the new seating arrangement.
"There's only one walkway [in Food Court] now, and it's overcrowded," she said. "People stop to talk there now, and it's not only annoying, but a hazard."
Food Court and Homeplate will maintain regular operations during the remainder of the term. Renovations to the Pavilion will continue through the Summer 2011 term. Kosher and Halal food, which was previously served at the Pavilion, have been offered at Homeplate since the Pavilion's closing.
One casualty of the renovation project is the Remix, which has closed indefinitely, according to the Dartmouth Dining services website. Collis Cafe will now feature an expanded smoothie menu to accommodate student selection.
The Dartmouth Card Office and Dartmouth Dining Services's administrative offices have temporarily moved to the basement of McNutt Hall. Topside Convenience Store has also relocated to a smaller location in the basement of Collis, replacing the 8-Ball Hall pool area. Once construction has finished next fall, the Card Office, DDS's administrative offices and Topside will be housed in the Class of 1953 Commons.
Construction will continue until the estimated completion date in Fall 2011, according to a June press release from the College.
"Work will generally occur between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays," Mary Bourque, project manager in the College's Office of Planning, Design and Construction said in an e-mail. "But, in order to meet our tight schedule, work will sometimes occur in the evening hours and on weekends."
The renovations to the Class of 1953 Commons will lower annual electricity and steam costs from the current cost of $900,000 to $600,000 in the updated building, Linda Snyder, vice president of campus planning and facilities previously told The Dartmouth.
"It's going to a very up-to-date, energy efficient building," Newlove said. "The current layout, along with some of the cooking equipment, is dated from the '30s and '40s."
In November 2009, College President Jim Yong Kim announced that the College would use a $12-million gift from the Class of 1953 to renovate the former Thayer Dining Hall rather than use the donation to construct a new dining and social facility, as originally planned, The Dartmouth previously reported. Thayer Dining Hall was renamed the Class of 1953 Commons at a May 25 dedication ceremony.
