MAYA MINWARY
Staff Writer
GRAHAM SHEA/ASSISTANT Photo Editor
REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS: Construction on Smothers Theatre began in late June and will continue until mid-September. Other campus improvements include new road signs and refurbishment of the Lovernich apartments.
While students were away for summer vacation, the Pepperdine campus was busy receiving a few changes.
Smothers Theatre is getting a new look and the roads throughout campus are now filled with new and wider speed bumps, along with a new stop sign at the corner of Banowsky and Seaver. Reflectors have also been installed along the outside width of the crosswalks. Campus housing also acquired a few improvements, including some needed repairs and refurbishments.
The construction on Smothers began at the end of June and will continue until the middle of September.
According to project manager Ron Leard, the renovation has been in the works for more than a year. Pepperdine’s Center for the Arts cleared the calendar for the duration of the construction, as to not conflict with performances.
During the three months of renovations, Smothers will undergo many aesthetic changes. The glass encasing in the theater lobby will be extended into a more square shape, while the overhang will be curved to enlarge the space. Along with a fresh coat of paint throughout Smothers, the lobby area will also receive new tile floorings with a granite finish set flush with a donated, 70-year-old Indian rug. The box office will also have a granite counter and new furniture. The ambiance in the lobby will be brighter as well.
“I think people will notice the look of the lobby the most,” Leard said.
People might also notice the various improvements inside the theater. New aisle lighting will allow ushers and audience members to walk and find seats faster and easier. The old aisle lighting was “terrible,” according to Leard. With the new Lighting Emitting Diode system, not only will it be safer to pass through, but Smothers will have a more efficient and longer lasting light source.
The orchestra pit will have “a state-of-the-art lift,” according to Leard, with the capability to move a lot faster than the old one. The new lift will only take a couple of minutes to set up with the push of a button, as opposed to having to set up a five-piece lift by hand in 45-minutes with the old system.
Handicap access and the women’s restroom will also receive an upgrade.
“The main goal will be enhancing our handicap access and the (number of toilet) seats in the women’s restroom,” Leard said.
Leard said the women’s restroom was too small and there would always be a long line during intermissions.
“We would have to extend intermission time because of it,” Leard said. “That almost became a constraint.”
Plans are in the works to install a plasma screen, as well as working with the Information and Technology department to improve Internet access and communication systems.
“I think what people will recognize about the change is that whatever outdated object there was before will now be updated,” Leard said. “It’s great that the University administration has taken pains to make Smothers a nicer, more comfortable and special place for everyone.”
While workers are busy revamping Smothers, on-campus housing has already received many needed improvements.
According to Director of Housing Jim Brock, as in the past, one residence hall (Dorm 15) was refurbished over the summer and all rooms and apartments got a new coat of paint. Housing also replaced all of the mattresses in Rockwell Towers. In addition, Facilities Management and Planning “recognized that the Lovernich apartments needed refurbishment, so they (did) all of those apartments over the summer,” Brock said.
All Lovernich Apartments are in the process of receiving new linoleum and an exhaust fan system in the bathroom. FM&P replaced rusted medicine cabinets, installed several new bathroom sinks and painted all Lovernich kitchen cabinets white. In addition, A-Block received a roof repair.
“We feel that this renovation is going to make a big difference for the Lovernich residents,” Brock said.
Although just one year old, Drescher Apartments also took part in the on-campus housing renovation. Housing purchased under-the-counter bathroom storage containers for all of the Honors Community.
“FMP deserves much credit for the work that they have done over the summer,” Brock said.
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