The Shape of Things to Come?

In an initiative-related effort in October, Centerbrook Architects, the firm that designed the Hood Museum and Tuck School's Byrne Hall, held the latest in a series of workshops aimed at developing possible plans for upgrading the College's dining and social spaces and its athletic and recreational facilities.

The College was already facing the need to overhaul Thayer Dining Hall and Alumni Gymnasium's outdated mechanical systems, according to College architect George Harthorn. But in light of the social life initiative, the College is broadening its thinking on what to do with those buildings. Based on input obtained through student surveys, focus groups and previous workships, Centerbrook architect Chad Floyd outlined several possibilities for expanded dining and student commons options, from building an entirely new facility behind Mass Row to renovating and linking Thayer, Robinson and Collis.

Designed to combat that old student refrain, "There's nothing to do in Hanover," a new center might offer a 1,000-seat replacement for Webster Hall, a "Cinedrome" nightclub- in-the-round with a 360-degree video screen, a variety of eateries and lounges, a bowling alley and a "tiki bar."

Suggested options for upgrading the athletics facilities for intercollegiate as well as recreational sports are even more muscular, including the possibility of building a huge new facility behind Alumni Gymnasium—on Red Rolfe '31 baseball field. A new diamond, Centerbrook proposed, could be built next to the women's Softball area at Sachem Field, a mile or so south of the campus. The new building would be large enough to house what Centerbrook describes as "the longest indoor climbing wall on the planet." But the building is already facing strong opposition from fans of Red Rolfe Field, swimmers who think the proposed new 50-meter pool will not meet the full demand for pool space and Chubbers who worry that a possible Dartmouth Outing Club move to the gym area would lessen its presence on campus.

But don't worry too much. The proposals are merely possibilities, not eventualities, according to Floyd and Hathorn. Floyd said Centerbrook is already working on an athletic "Plan B" that would leave Red Rolfe Field alone. And the greater concerns of the social life initiative will be factored in. Before the College spends millions, it will be deciding what makes sense.