Golden shovels were lined up in front of the Reitz Union on Saturday for the groundbreaking ceremony celebrating the building’s renovation and expansion.
Students, alumni and trustees donned hard hats and dug into a patch of dirt next to the construction zone at the ceremony.
Speakers at the event included UF President Bernie Machen, Student Body President Christina Bonarrigo and Florida House of Representatives Republican Seth McKeel.
In his speech, Machen said the Reitz Union expansion will involve an addition of three stories that will provide space for student services and organizations.
“It is truly the students who spearheaded this renewal and recreation,” Machen said.
The renovation will involve beautifying the union, adding new windows and increasing the energy efficiency of the building.
The renovated union will also have new offices for Student Government, student organizations and clubs.
Student Body President Bonarrigo spoke about the need for an expanded union to keep pace with student population growth.
UF had about 19,000 students when the Reitz Union opened in 1967. It currently has about 50,000, she said.
“Today’s groundbreaking ceremony is the culmination of nearly a decade of work and effort,” she said.
The renovated union will become a central hub for students, Bonarrigo said.
It will include several student services, including the Center for Leadership and Service, the Office of Multicultural & Diversity Affairs and GatorWell Health Promotion Services.
Rep. McKeel also spoke at the groundbreaking about his work with UF to make it a top university in the nation.
“I couldn’t be more excited, if you can’t tell, to be a Florida Gator,” McKeel said, “but I also couldn’t be more excited to be a member of a legislature who understands the importance of higher education.”
Machen awarded McKeel with the President’s Medallion for his service to the university.
About 200 people attended the event.
Guests included state representatives, 12 former student body presidents and members from the UF Board of Trustees.
Machen said expanding the Reitz Union is essential for UF to continue to provide a unique educational experience to students.
“We may only have some shovels and some sand here today to work with,” he said, “but today we’re going to begin again a renewal and a recreation of the University of Florida’s cathedral for our students.”
A version of this story ran on page 1 on 9/23/2013 under the headline "Ground broken for Reitz Union expansion"
Student Body President Christina Bonarrigo, state Rep. Seth McKeel and UF President Bernie Machen were among the people who dug into dirt with golden shovels during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Reitz Union expansion.
