Recognizing a need for general updating of the facility, and a specific need to update the food service and dining functions, a consultant was hired to study Rothwell Student Center program needs, define spaces needed to efficiently support the needs, complete an assessment of existing infrastructure, provide recommendations for improvements, and develop a master plan including implementation strategies and cost estimates. As a result of that planning process it was determined that the optimal solution would be one that demolished the original buildings and constructed a new one on the same site. The Rothwell Student Center Master Plan can be found on the campus website at www.uwsuper.edu/rsc/rscfuture. However, requirements in the Request for Architectural and Engineering Design Services supersede information found in the master plan. A student referendum in December 2004 approved construction of a new facility. It is expected that a new student center at the University of Wisconsin-Superior will:
This project will construct a new, approximately 80,000 GSF, state-of-the-art student center. This new building will include campus dining services, meeting and event space, retail space, a student involvement complex, student lounge areas, an art gallery, and administrative offices. Sustainable design principles will be included as part of the design process. Specifically, those principles that emphasize energy efficiency, long-term durability and maintenance, and long-term flexibility and adaptability are included. Since this project will involve a significant amount of demolition, the potential of recycling demolition waste will be investigated. Although certification of this building will not be sought, consultants are encouraged to use a sustainability measurement tool such as the LEED rating system. Once the new building is complete, the existing student center will be demolished.