Changes are in the works for the Reitz Union in an effort to keep the facility up-to-date and stay in line with the needs of faculty and students.
After revamping the first-floor lobby and creating an expanded lounge area in August 2007, the Reitz Union is planning renovations of the Rion Ballroom and Arredondo Room and the addition of Pollo Tropical in the food court.
Construction on the Arredondo Room, which offers a hot entrée buffet, began in October and is expected to be done by the end of February. Construction on Pollo Tropical, which will replace Italian restaurant Capeesh, is expected to begin in April and end in July.
Renovations on the Rion Ballroom are expected to begin in early March and finish in late July or early August. Eddie Daniels, executive director of the J. Wayne Reitz Union, said the ballroom is outdated and needs a new look to stay current with the times.
"We are trying to provide an attractive atmosphere and comfortable atmosphere that meets the expectations of our students and help to promote a more rich campus life," Daniels said.
In addition to those projects, the Reitz Union will refresh Home Zone, which offers home-style food, in its design. Also, the vacant retail spaces on the ground floor will be occupied.
Daniels said they are trying to bring in a convenience and food store to fill the spots that were once filled by STA Travel and Lange Eye Care. STA Travel was removed from the Reitz Union in 2008 due to a new national business model, and UF ended its contract with Lange Eye Care in 2007.
Jill Rodriguez , Gator Dining Services Marketing Manager, said Gator Dining is conducting focus groups with students and staff to determine what food stores they are interested in.
Another prospective change on the ground floor would be to replace Freshens with Jamba Juice. Negotiations are still being worked out on the project, but the transformation will hopefully be under way by fall 2009, Daniels said.
He said there will be minimal changes, if any, to the prices of food.
"We are trying to provide an educational environment and satisfy the needs of students," Daniels said. "We are constantly looking at trends and conducting surveys to get information from students and determine likes and dislikes."
