Kent Hall kitchen renovation benefits students

In the spring of 2019, housing staff approached maintenance with possible ways to improve the first floor Kent Hall kitchen space. Initially, only the kitchen cupboards and cabinets were going to be replaced, but after further discussions, the two departments decided the entire first floor kitchen could be renovated.

Both Kent hall kitchens, located in the east wing of the first and third floors, received new glass top stoves, which are safer and easier to clean.

Other improvements to the first-floor kitchen included removing antiquated hardware from the walls, repainting the walls, and waxing the floors. New baseboards, curtains, table and chairs, and a lighting fixture were also purchased to improve the space.

Stephens highlighted the importance of updating the kitchen not only for current students, but also prospective students.

“Admissions tours view this kitchen on a regular basis, so it was a critical improvement not only for current students but for recruiting, as well. We are currently discussing a timeline to address additional residence hall kitchen improvements,” Stephens said.

Stephens said complications related to COVID-19 delayed the purchase of the stoves and cabinets, but that was the project’s only real setback. The first-floor kitchen’s lower cabinets and counter tops were custom purchases through the Chadron Lumber Company, while the upper cabinets were repurposed from the Math Science building.

All demolition and renovations were completed by CSC maintenance. Kent Hall’s third floor kitchen is now being considered for full renovations.

—Olivia Bryant, College Relations