Construction of Dordt University's new dining commons and B.J. Haan Auditorium expansion is taking place this summer.
Good progress is being made on the construction of Dordt University’s new dining commons and B.J. Haan Auditorium expansion. This summer, crews will complete the initial dirt work, pour foundations, and put in utilities. Steel structures will start to go up this fall.
“Work on the underground structures relating to storm and waste-water services is largely complete, which means the ground is now being leveled and graded,” says Vice President for University Operations Fred Verwoerd. “The places where the new building will connect to the existing buildings have undergone demolition, and the reconstruction of the walls in the band room is underway.”
As for the new dining commons, crews will begin foundation work in the next few weeks. “This involved setting geo-piers, helical piers, and footers,” explains Verwoerd. “Some of this work will cause periods of noise and vibration in the Campus Center and in the B.J. Haan Auditorium. We will have to find ways to support operations during these periods.”
Verwoerd sees a connection between the early stages of the construction project and what students experience at Dordt. “We lay the foundation with students—we do all the deep work to prepare them for what’s to come, but we don’t always see the finished product,” he says. “Similarly, we are focusing on building the important foundational work for the B.J. Haan Auditorium expansion and dining commons this summer and fall, so ultimately it can become a beautiful building that will make a difference on campus.
He adds that he is grateful for the flexibility of the Dordt community as construction work continues.
The new dining commons will connect the Campus Center and the B.J. Haan Auditorium and will be more centrally located on campus. The recital hall / band room will be a space where musicians and others can practice and perform for small audiences. Construction began in early April.
About Dordt University
As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
Kyle Van Wyk accepted a position at Dordt University as Instructor of Health Sciences. He has served at Dordt as a Sport Performance Coach since 2018 and is excited to use his new position to continue to develop the HHP program at Dordt.
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