The K-State campus, Manhattan community and surrounding area are invited to attend a celebratory groundbreaking ceremony for Your Union renovation Wednesday, September 2 outside the north entrance of the K-State Student Union. 

The groundbreaking will begin at 2:30 p.m. with an opportunity to browse renovation plans and renderings while being entertained by students from the K-State Marching Band. The program will feature remarks from President Kirk Schulz, Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Dr. Pat Bosco, Union Executive Director Bill Smriga and several student leaders as well as the ceremonial turning of dirt. Guests can enjoy Call Hall ice cream and an appearance from Willie the Wildcat following the program.

“We are excited to break ground on Your Union renovation and celebrate the next phase of our building. For the last three years, students, faculty, staff and administrators have worked with the renovation architects to develop plans that will provide the Union the improvements and enhancements it deserves as the living room of campus,” Smriga said.

The $25 million renovation plan for the Union includes a new south facade with windows, up-to-date retail areas, collaborative student lounge space, consolidated student activities offices, enhanced dining services with a sports pub and expanded coffee house and an innovate tech lounge.

In April 2013, the student body voted to approve the project, including a flat $20 per semester increase to the student privilege fee for students taking classes on the Manhattan campus effective fall 2014. Partnering firms of Bowman Bowman Novick Inc. and Workshop Architects, Inc. were selected in September 2014 to design the final plans for the Union renovation.

Bowman is a local, multi-discipline design firm with offices in Manhattan and Kansas City, Mo. The four principals directing the firm are Brent Bowman, Lorie Doolittle-Bowman, Paul Novick and Patrick Schaub. Their portfolio includes Hale Library, academic buildings, visitor and interpretive centers, religious buildings, residences, office buildings, recreational and athletic facilities and downtown redevelopment.

Workshop, led by Jan van den Kieboom, focuses on creating environments for social interaction for colleges and universities. Kieboom has led planning and design projects for more than 25 colleges and universities nationwide, including the University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin, Oklahoma State University and Northwestern University.

Turner Construction Company was selected to provide construction manager at-risk services throughout the renovation. The company is headquartered in New York City with local offices across the country, including Kansas City. Turner has a long and extensive track record of successfully completing higher education projects, completing more than $5 billion in education construction across the country in the past three years. 

Construction is scheduled to begin September 8. The Union will remain open throughout the renovation with varied services and programs relocating within the building during the project. For more information about the renovation, visit the Your Union website.