Monday, Nov 18, 2019
Sent on Nov. 11, 2019
Dear Rider Community,
I am pleased to announce that the Gill Chapel Facilities Working Group submitted a recommendation to the Facilities Monitoring Committee, which approved the plan for renovations in that building. The next step in the process is to meet with members of the Lawrence Township Planning Office to seek approval for the additions. Mr. Michael Reca, Vice President for Facilities and Operations, anticipates receiving approval and permits by the end of January 2020. The project will create a full performing and rehearsal space in the main chapel, as well as 13 new large and small practice rooms, an expanded lobby, and worship spaces.
Construction on Gill Chapel is expected to begin in February 2020.
To ensure facilities projects related to the integration will meet or exceed the high standards demanded by the profession, the University is working with professional architects, engineers and several consultants.
- Patrick J. Murphy, a member of the Organ Historical Society, The American Institute of Organbuilders and the American Guild of Organists, is the founder of Patrick J. Murphy & Associates, one of the largest full-service pipe organ builders in the Northeast. Working closely with Patrick, we are currently evaluating options to meet organ needs at the Lawrenceville campus. This will include installation of a new or existing organ in Gill Chapel and creating a faculty organ teaching studio and organ practice spaces.
- Acentech, the same acoustic consultants who worked on Hillman Performance Hall in the Cullen Center, is again working with Rider for the Gill Chapel renovation.
- We are also consulting with the Wenger Corporation regarding practice rooms. Wenger has a rich history of working with Rider and others in music and theatre education and providing valuable service to performing arts venues.
Sincerely,
DonnaJean Fredeen, Ph.D
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs