Update on the Communication and Exercise and Sports Science Building

Photo by Molly Perry

Construction on Meredith College’s new academic building for the communication and exercise and sports science (ESS) majors has been in progress since January 2019. Although there was a period of time when the project had to be halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, construction has been consistent throughout the Fall 2021 semester.

Due to the pandemic-related delay in construction, the building is now expected to be fully finished sometime in 2022 which is a year later than originally planned. This new building will have new and innovative classroom designs as well as provide new technology, equipment and opportunities for students to get hands-on experience in their majors. The updated Human Performance Lab for ESS majors will allow for applied learning. The new media studio and editing suite will also allow communication majors to gain experience relevant to future careers.

The new building was planned due to the growth of both the ESS and communication majors in recent years as well as the addition of the hospitality management program in the School of Business. For many years, the ESS program was housed in the Weatherspoon annex, a series of trailers next to the gym. The Communication Department was housed on the second floor of Harris Building which also houses the School of Business. With the Communication Department moving to the new building, the hospitality management program will be able to be housed within Harris.

By Jayce Perry, Staff Writer