New Penn Dormitory Continues On Schedule

Construction on the new dormitory at William Penn is currently on schedule for a January opening

Oskaloosa, Iowa – On a cloudy day at the end of March, William Penn officially broke ground on their new dormitory that will add capacity for 250 additional students.

Once the students move into the new dormitory during the first part of January, at that time Eltse Hall will be closed down for renovation.

Scott Haynes of Build to Suit Incorporated is overseeing the construction of the new dorm. Haynes says that things are on schedule, saying the lack of rain has “helped quite a bit” with being able to stay on schedule. He says that the heat really hasn’t slowed down the nearly 50 workers who are part of the project. Some craftsmen work a split schedule, working until around noon and then coming back later on after the sun has become less direct and the temps start to cool.

The roof-line of the new structure is nearly completed. “We’re roughing in third floor right now,” Haynes says. Once it’s completed, the Sheetrock process will begin by August 6th.  The process of applying Sheetrock will start on the third floor, and then go down each floor until that portion of the project is completed. Trim work and applying the flooring will then follow shortly after.

There are only a few alterations to the original plan, such as the addition of more parking on the south side of the new structure and the closing of the current drive that leads to Eltse Hall. When the project is complete, there will be a connecting drive between the two dorms.

When renovations are completed, 650 students will be able to live on the William Penn campus.

“The new dorm boasts that all students will have individual rooms and sinks in their bedrooms. Only two students will share a bathroom. Quite a difference from Eltse where 8 now share a bathroom. 35 suites or pods with 2 students each, and 45 pods will house 4 students each. Each of the three floors will have a vending machine area, laundry facilities, recycle area and common space. Quite a difference from what we had previously,” was the description given by William Penn President Ann Fields at the groundbreaking in March.

Approval for the project passed the Oskaloosa City Council in November of 2011, after approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission.