Community Welcome to Farrell Student and Community Center Grand Opening

DELHI, NY (09/08/2010)(readMedia)-- The community is cordially invited to attend SUNY Delhi's Grand Opening of the Farrell Student and Community Center on Wednesday, September 15, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Grand Opening will feature an official ribbon cutting led by SUNY Delhi President Candace Vancko, Senator John Bonacic and Student Senate President Jeff Abraham. Dr. K's Motown Revue will provide live music. Tours, refreshments and giveaways will round out the festivities.

Originally constructed in 1965, Farrell has been closed for 18 months for a massive renovation. "There's been tremendous excitement and anticipation on campus and throughout the community about the new Farrell and our dreams have been realized," said President Vancko. "Farrell has been transformed into a state-of-the-art facility that will serve the needs of our students and the region for years to come."

Senator Bonacic was instrumental in securing $16.7 million in state support for the project, according to President Vancko. Douglas Okun, a 1962 graduate of Delhi's construction technology program, also played a prominent role, providing the conceptual design for Farrell as a gift to his alma mater. Simmons Construction of Sidney Center was the general contractor for the project. Architecture+ of Troy served as the architects.

Natural light is a prominent feature of the new Farrell Center. The addition of numerous windows on the Promenade and Concourse Levels, combined with expansive lobbies, provide a bright, welcoming atmosphere for visitors. The former gymnasium now houses a contemporary food court connected to a multipurpose room that can seat more than 400 for dining, banquets and performances. The Club Level serves as a central location for student clubs and organizations. The theatre has been updated with new seating, lighting and a Dolby sound system.

Other features to the 75,000 square foot Farrell Center include an exercise and dance studio, meeting rooms with wireless connectivity and high definition projection screens, lounge areas with wide-screen televisions, radio and television studios, an art center, and a drawing studio. The facility also houses Student Activities, the O'Connor Center for Community Engagement, the College Association at Delhi, Inc., the Barnes & Noble Campus Store, and Regalia, the college's gently-used clothing store.

The Grand Opening is free and open to the public.