Final public session scheduled for new Valley Dining Center

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The third and final session designed to involve students and the WMU community in the design process for the new Valley Dining Center is scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, in the Bernhard Center's Brown and Gold Room.

Design professionals from SmithGroupJJR, a design and architectural firm based in Detroit, will present the final direction related to building placement and design. Two planning sessions held earlier this year, sought community input on building placement and architectural style. This final public session will give SmithGroupJJR an opportunity to share the results from prior meetings.

Valley Dining Center

Designed to be an anchor destination in the Valley Residential Neighborhood, the iconic new dining center will be located near the Valley III residence halls overlooking Goldsworth Valley Pond. The project is planned to achieve a minimum of LEED Silver certification.

The state-of-the-art dining center will provide food service options in a restaurant-like atmosphere with fresh food prepared in front of guests. Nine distinct venues will provide the WMU community with a wide variety of healthy options.

Construction of the New Valley Dining Center is expected to begin late spring 2015.