Grand Valley State University’s Board of Trustees approved renovations last month for amenities across campus.
Renovation plans have been approved for the Louis Armstrong Theater and Lubbers Student Services Center, as well as softball and baseball training and locker room facilities.
In an effort to support the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance, the University has approved plans to upgrade lighting, rigging, audio-visual systems and acoustics for the Louis Armstrong Theatre. The expected cost of the renovation is $5.2 million and funding will be provided by the Strategic Capital Reserve Fund.
The firms Fishbeck and Clark Construction were hired by the University and renovations are planned to start this coming May. The project is projected to be finished by January 2028.
As far as renovation plans for the Student Services Center are concerned, the University is focusing on interior adjustments. During the meeting in which plans were approved, Vice President for Finance and Administration Greg Sanial explained the University’s vision for enhancing physical space and flow.
“Students and families will be guided through a multi-modal process for admissions and other student services,” Sanial said. “The renovation will support varied work styles that are flexible and forward-looking for staff, students and visitors. The design will foster collaboration and care between staff and students, with an emphasis on student life and celebrating the achievement of being admitted to GVSU.”
The University revealed renovations to the Student Services Center will cost $6.3 million. The school has contracted Hanbury for architecture and Granger Construction. The renovations will start this month, with plans to finish May 2026.
The University is also enhancing the baseball and softball programs by adding locker room facilities. Sanial noted the competitive and storied history of the baseball and softball teams as inspiration for this particular renovation.
“Both programs have long histories of success on the field, in the classroom and in the community,” Sanial said. “However, neither team currently has dedicated locker room facilities, and their existing training accommodations are limited. The new facility will provide both programs with a central home at their fields that will enhance daily training, athlete development and the overall student-athlete experience.”
According to Sanial, the upgraded facility will serve as a lynchpin for student-athlete recruitment and retention. The cost of the project is estimated to be approximately $5.65 million. Contractors are yet to be announced, but the Board of Trustees has recommended Integrated Architecture as the architect of record. The project is expected to be completed by 2027.
University officials are excited about the upcoming projects. Chris Knape, assistant vice president of University Communications is looking forward to seeing the updated buildings on campus, as they will serve as great advertisement for GVSU.
“These projects will add to campus vibrancy and ensure our facilities continue to measure up to the highest standards,” Knape said.
Knape believes the diversity of projects is the best approach the University could have taken regarding renovations.
“We’re particularly excited that this work will impact such diverse areas of student contact,” Knape said. “These enhancements will transform our admissions experience (and) provide a first-class, year-round training facility for our baseball and softball programs. (It will also) introduce dramatic infrastructure upgrades to the Louis Armstrong Theatre that will improve productions and save energy. while providing our students with hands-on experience using the latest theater technology.”
