Purdue University Residences Opens Upscale $19 million, 500-seat Dining Court
Purdue just closed the last of its 12 small, institutional-looking cafeterias. Students returning for fall semester are finding a $19 million, 63,000-square-foot, stand-alone dining court, the capstone of a 10-year master plan that has brought 5 new dining courts across campus. Located at the center of campus across from the Recreational Sports Center, the building offers several large-screen televisions and free wireless Internet access.
The new, lodgelike building is marked by large windows, vaulted wood ceilings, and stylish use of glass, steel, and tile. A ring of internationally themed serving stations provide a broad menu of popular dishes, including made-to-order pizzas, pastas, and sandwiches. The court's distinguishing station is the trendy Brazilian barbeque, Churrasco.
Director of Dining Services Sarah Johnson said the new facility will be a "destination dining" location that will draw diners from on and off campus, in part because its array of American and international foods meets the expectations of a diverse and demanding student body.
"We have created a conveniently located, value-laden option that fits their lifestyles," Johnson said. The new building is part of a strategic $200 million investment in new and renovated dining and residential facilities. The plan has consolidated 11 dining rooms into five full-service dining courts.
"Facilities such as this new dining court help Purdue attract and retain a high-caliber student body from around the world," said University Residences Director Barbara Frazee.
The self-supporting University Residences houses nearly 12,000 students daily, making it the largest noncompulsory on-campus housing program in the nation. It serves 16,000 meals daily. Increasingly, Purdue staff and off-campus visitors patronize the on-campus dining facilities. "We expect facilities like this to serve the entire community," said Frazee.
