One of the main student-dining hubs at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will undergo a $16.8 million renovation next fall.
The DeBot Dining Center Renovation project was recently approved by state officials and the UW System Board of Regents to address building infrastructure, safety and programming issues. It will be funded through program revenue that comes mainly from student meal plans. The work will begin in summer of 2018.
The renovation will include a new heating and air conditioning system and air handling equipment, fire sprinkler system, freight and passenger elevators, emergency generator, reconfigured entrances and updated staff locker rooms.
In Upper DeBot, serving areas will be updated for cooking while-you-watch and ease of service. Some equipment will be replaced to meet current standards and energy efficiency. A new allergen friendly serving location will offer a greater variety of allergen friendly products.
On the lower level, updates will increase space and efficiency for the convenience store and bakery as well as provide additional seating areas and meeting room space, enhanced accessibility and restroom improvements.
Suzette Conley, director of Dining and Summer Conferences, is excited about the open concept kitchen and serving areas allowing students the chance to see food service operations in action. "Much of the food production will happen where students and guests can see it, so they can interact with out amazing culinary staff," she said.
The building will close during renovations and reopen for the fall 2019 term, as it not possible to replace the heating and air conditioning system in stages while the center is open.
During this time, student dining services will be provided in temporary locations on campus. Dining and Summer Conferences will expand offerings and service hours in other campus locations including the Dreyfus University Center Food Court and Homegrown Café, the Food For Thought Café in Albertson Hall and the new DSC Café in the Chemistry Biology Building, opening fall of 2018.
Constructed in 1967, DeBot Dining Center serves approximately 87 percent of the meals for the approximately 3,000 residential students at UW-Stevens Point. It has three dining areas that serve all-you-can-eat buffet-style meals. Previous renovations included an addition in 1992 and dining room remodeling in 2004.
Skip to main content
