Fall ’08 forecasted to be landmark for Campbell

     Vice President for Business and Treasurer Jim Roberts briefed Campbell alumni gathered for Homecoming recently on the sweeping changes taking place on the university’s Buies Creek campus. Roberts reported a fall ’08 completion date for many of the major building projects, including a new football stadium, the John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center, Butler Chapel and a brick thoroughfare called Fellowship Commons.
     Beginning at T.T. Lanier Street on the south and ending at Main Street on the north, Fellowship Commons is a meandering walkway designed to unify the campus while providing shade and seating for students and visitors.
     “It is a flowing pathway which will feature a tree bosque, benches and patios and plenty of places for students to sit and congregate,” said Roberts. “It is a walkway that adds consistency of design and warmth to an already warm ambience.”
     Adding to the excitement of Campbell’s plans to field the first football team in 50 years was the announcement of a new football stadium. The 3,000-5,000 seat facility will be located near the present soccer field, although plans have yet to be finalized. The design of the new stadium is being drafted by the South Carolina architectural firm of McMillan Smith & Partners.
     Also underway is a fundraising campaign for the construction of a new university chapel. Located adjacent to the Taylor Hall of Religion, the $6.3 million Robert and Anna Butler Chapel will contain a 300-seat sanctuary, vestibule and large gathering space, an office suite and a brides’ room. The complex will also house a prayer room, meditation garden and a bell tower. Approximately $2.3 million has been raised toward the construction of the chapel.
     Groundbreaking ceremonies for the long-awaited John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center were held Sept. 1, 2006. The 109,000 square foot facility will house a 3,000 seat arena, Sports Hall of Fame lobby, Hospitality Suite, practice gymnasium, wrestling practice room and basketball-volleyball-wrestling offices and locker rooms. There will also be a 5,000 square fort student fitness center with a stand alone entrance for student convenience. The convocation center will be located at Main Street and Leslie Campbell Avenue
     To facilitate the flow of traffic and ensure safety on campus, roundabouts are in the plans for T.T. Lanier and Campbell Avenue and Harmon Road. In addition, new crosswalks will be constructed on Main Street at the Carrie Rich Memorial Library and the Administration building. Roberts announced that a completion date of Feb.’07 had been set for the new pharmacy teaching facility now under construction and plans have been initiated for yet another new science building to be completed at an undetermined date.

Photo Copy: Architectural rendering of Campbell University’s Butler Chapel, scheduled for completion in fall 2008.