Renovation work on Plaster Hall’s Cornell Auditorium is nearing completion.
The work – which includes new seating, lighting and sound systems – is so extensive that it “will hold very little resemblance to the old auditorium,” says Bob Harrington, Missouri Southern’s construction/risk manager.
Work got underway the Monday following commencement, and crews have made quick work of the auditorium’s face-lift. The major demolition and installation work is complete. All that remains on the to-do list is installation of the new seating, building soffit in the entrance and lobby and finishing the electrical connections for new sound and audio-visual systems.
The finished auditorium will extend into the lobby to create a space for hosting special events, and will boast new flooring, sound treatments and upgraded technology.
“The sound system has been totally replaced with state-of-the-art equipment,” said Harrington. “The projector can be controlled from a new instructor’s console. The old screen has been replaced with a larger screen that is motorized so it can be raised and lowered as necessary. And all of the lighting has been changed out to LED.”
Aesthetic changes include brighter colors, painted brick, and an all-around brighter and more pleasing environment. Work is slated to be complete in time for the start of the fall semester.
