UConn-Avery Point Begins Razing Student Center

The University of Connecticut at Avery Point began tearing down the old student center Monday to make room for

The work will be the first major construction project at the campus in 10 years. The $6.8 million project will also include a fully-equipped campus food center.

"It's about time," said Scott Martin, as he watched the building come down.

Jean-Claude Nicholas, Jr., a student from Groton, said he's sure he'll like the new student center once it's built. But he still has good memories of the old one.

"It's kind of special to me," he said. "Right in the corner, that's where the pool table was."

The road from the traffic circle to the library will be one-way during the demolition and will serve as an exit only for the next two weeks. The demolition itself is expected to take three to five days, Campus Director Michael Alfultis said.

UConn-Avery Point enrolls 660 undergraduate students and about 100 students in graduate programs in marine sciences, engineering and nursing.

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