Ohio University students looking for a quiet relaxation space in Baker University Center will finally have somewhere to go.
The lounge on the bottom floor of Baker Center, which has been closed for renovations since the end of Spring Quarter, reopened Monday for student use.
“The renovations were delayed due to furniture shipments,” said Sujit Chemburkar, executive director of Baker Center and Event Services, in September.
Baker Center administrators decided to open the lounge Monday because they were able to set up several tables, chairs and other furniture.
“We can’t really block it off, and now the furniture can be utilized while we wait for the other shipments,” Chemburkar said.
As of Monday night, the lounge contains 13 tables, 80 chairs, one foosball table, one pool table and six flat-screen TVs, but some of the area’s other upgrades have not yet arrived.
The lounge eventually will serve as a space for entertainment and events. When it is finished, it will have a complete dance floor and stage, new flat-screen TVs and a new sound system.
“I think the skeleton of it is up, but some of the bells and whistles are still coming in,” Student Senate President Kyle Triplett said. The idea for the lounge originated with Student Senate.
In addition to being an area for quiet study or entertainment, the lounge also will provide overflow seating for West 82 during busy dining times.
“We won’t take any reservations for the lounge, but we wanted to open it to release stress on the food-court side, and we want people to utilize the new furniture now,” Chemburkar said.
Even though the lounge just reopened Monday, students were already taking advantage of the new seating.
Kristen Wotowiec, a sophomore studying special education, said she used to use the lounge as a quite place to look through her notes between classes and is glad it is open again.
“I think it was a great improvement,” she said.
Triplett said that, once the rest of the furniture arrives and the lounge renovations are complete, it will be useful for various events.
“Winter Quarter is a really great time to be using this room because it’s indoors,” he said. “I think there’s a lot of potential for it and students are anticipating it.”
bv111010@ohiou.edu
— Brandon Carte contributed
to this story.
