Ball 214 Lecture Hall Upgraded
Katrina Espiritu

As part of a capital construction project, lecture hall Ball 214 was modernized with an upgrade on the audio/visual equipment, a new paint job, carpeting, seats, floor surface, ceiling, and lighting.

The improvements in the lecture hall were needed due to the fact that Ball 214, which seats approximately 250 students, is one of the most used classrooms on North Campus. The renovations took place this past summer, and have replaced old uncomfortable wooden chairs, glaring fluorescent lights, diminishing paint on the wall, and raw concrete. The cold bare floors are now dressed with new carpeting and the grey walls were replaced with a warm beige color. The enormous size of the room, along with its echoing concrete walls made it difficult for students, sitting far away from the professor to hear the lectures. Now with its new walls and improved audio equipment, students seated anywhere in the room can hear the professor. The old visual screen was replaced, making it easier for students to see what is projected even if students are to sit in the back.

According to Diana Prideaux-Brune, UMASS Lowell’s Vice Chancellor of Facilities, the construction cost was about $200,000. “The money came from a state capital bond. We get a varied amount from the state each year to complete these types of improvements,” she said.

Intricate planning is involved in reconstruction projects such as the upgrading of Ball 214. “The Campus capital spending plan is initiated out of the Facilities office. We take input from the Provost office, the deans and chairs, student leadership, and administrators. Each year, we try to complete projects that impact a wide variety of issues; from mechanical and systems projects, that you don't really see, to classroom, office and landscape upgrades,” said Prideaux-Brune.

In North Campus, labs and student lounges were also upgraded this previous summer along with Ball 214. In the upcoming year, Prideaux-Brune, along with her colleagues in the Facilities office, have plans to reconstruct several areas in both campuses that needs improvement: “We are working on improved lighting in the Weed Hall lecture rooms and in O'Leary 222 [auditorium]. We are also in the process of creating a handicap accessible bathroom in O'Leary [library]. You should expect to see improvements in Olney 150, in classrooms, in the [South Campus] Quad, and upgrades to the stairwells and hallways in Olney. We are also beginning the early design work for a full renovation of Coburn Hall and the Allen House.