The University Memorial Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder will celebrate the completion of a two-year expansion and renovation on Friday, Sept. 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
"I believe our students and the rest of the campus community will be excited about all the new facilities and services," said Carlos Garcia, UMC director. "It's the start of a great new era at the UMC."
The newly improved UMC features a 51,000-square-foot addition with a five-story atrium, 24 meeting rooms, a new multipurpose room, additional student organization office spaces, more dining room seating, a newly expanded Baby Doe's convenience store, additional retail services, a new computer lab and a new commuter lounge.Ìý
The $27 million project was financed through bonds guaranteed by student fees and by senior gift donations.
As part of the Sept. 6 festivities, CU-Boulder students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in the Passport to Prizes Game. Participation in the game is available to the first 500 players applying at the UMC reception desk beginning on Sept. 3. Each of the 500 players will receive UMC commemorative tote bags.
The players will tour the UMC on Sept. 6 to visit new and renovated spaces while getting their Passports stamped and receiving gifts along the way.
A completely stamped Passport qualifies players for the chance to win numerous prizes, including a grand prize of $500 in American Express Travelers Cheques and a laptop backpack provided by the U of C Federal Credit Union. Additional prizes include a round-trip airline ticket within the continental United States provided by STA Travel, a bowling-billiards-pizza party in the UMC Connection, sweatshirts from the CU Bookstore, concert tickets from Program Council and gift certificates from various food vendors, including the UMC's Alferd Packer Grill.
In addition to the Passport to Prizes Game, visitors can stroll through the UMC and enjoy cookies and punch as they acquaint themselves with the improvements within the building.
The UMC and Program Council will present a free concert on the UMC South Terrace from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with the Henry Parsons Project, a Widespread Panic cover band. Passport to Prizes game winners will be announced at the show at 4:30 p.m. Players must be present with their valid CU identification cards to win.
The original building opened in 1953, expanded in 1964 and expanded again in May 2000, due to an increasing need for additional space and services necessary to address the growing CU community.Ìý
The UMC, a program of the University of Colorado Student Union, is a designated multicultural center and the state of Colorado's official memorial to Colorado veterans who died serving their country.Ìý