MIDLAND, Mich. – Northwood University’s campus is undergoing another summer of construction projects. Among the projects are Northwood’s Strosacker Library, Founder’s Garden, flood prevention measures and athletic facility upgrades. Planning is also in place for the second phase of North Village Apartments.“We have a slate of projects kicking off this summer that continue to help us enhance the Northwood experience for our students,” said Keith Pretty, Northwood University President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are making improvements to the most common spaces on campus, installing prevention measures to prepare for potential emergencies, and are also planning to get the next phase of our new housing unit in the works soon.”
The university’s newest housing units, North Village Apartments, opened in August 2017, shortly after the university was forced to close and remove housing units destroyed in the June 2017 flooding in the Midland community. Though the university remained fully operational throughout the restoration process, additional buildings affected by the flooding underwent restoration and reopened last fall.
Upgrades for summer 2018 include flood prevention gates in front of Miner Hall, one of the affected buildings. The gates are designed to prevent excess water from entering the lower level. In addition to student housing on the upper level, lower Miner is home to Northwood’s business office and financial aid staff.
In addition, the first of three phases of upgrades are underway at Northwood’s Strosacker Library. The project, slated for completion in 2021, will address upgrades to infrastructure and furnishings, and result in the creation of a learning commons atmosphere for students to study and collaborate with one another.
Founder’s Garden, also a multi-year project, is an outdoor space along Northwood’s storied “mall walk” which will be upgraded with a natural amphitheater, seating and gathering spaces, and enhancements to Recognition Park, where Northwood honors and highlights university donors. The new student leisure areas will feature enhanced lighting, outdoor fireplaces and quiet areas in the center of Northwood’s naturally wooded campus. Founder’s Garden is expected to be completed in 2020.
Hantz Stadium, home of the Northwood Timberwolf football team, is also undergoing a renovation. A turf playing surface is replacing the natural grass and will be in place in time for the 2018 season. Fans are able to watch the turf installation progress on Northwood’s construction webcam.
“The stadium will see an exciting upgrade for men’s and women’s soccer, track and field and intramural athletics as well as our football team,” Pretty said. “The turf surface is more versatile and will withstand all types of weather and continued use, and we believe it will be safer for our athletes.”
Along with the turf field, Northwood will be introducing a new tailgate area for fans at home football games adjacent to the stadium. Formerly South Village Apartments, the area was cleared when the units were irreparably damaged in the June 2017 flood and removed. The open field on the southeast side of Hantz Stadium will now be a dedicated space for Northwood fans to gather prior to home games. Additionally, Northwood’s soccer facility, Dean Field, has added new permanent seating for 300 spectators.
Northwood University’s master campus plan is supported entirely by philanthropic efforts. All capital improvements at Northwood are self-funded, and the school accepts no state or federal funding.
For more information about Northwood University visit www.northwood.edu or call 800.622.9000.
