Construction in Talbot Hall has been extended until Sept. 20 due to sophisticated renovations.

Originally, the renovations were supposed to be finished in April of this year. Another date was set for July as well, but now the more positive completion date is in late September. According to Stan Silverii, superintendent of Facility Services and Project Management, 90 percent of the renovations will be done by the beginning of the fall semester.

“Renovations are a very tedious process,” Silverii said. “In addition, there are individual wood slats that are going to create the walls inside the theater for acoustic purposes and it is a delicate process to installing them. That set back the completion date.”

Silverii said that students should not be inconvenienced because of the delay. In addition to the theater upgrades, the Mass Communication department’s classrooms and studios were also renovated. Updates that include the Bob Blazier Television Studio, the KNSU radio station and computer labs are all expected to be ready for full use by the fall.

“We checked with all of the departments to make sure there will not be any interference with classes or scheduled programs,” Silverii said.

As of right now, construction workers are installing the new seating in the theater. Next week they will install the acoustic shell and light fixtures. According to Silverii, there should be no problems here on out.

“The outcome will be well worth the wait and it will be very nice,” Silverii said.

The renovations have affected the Mass Communication and Music departments the most since the $6.7 million project began last year. The Department of Music moved all of their performances to nearby venues such as local churches, Peltier Auditorium as well as the Timothy Lindsley band hall. The Mass Communication Department moved most of their classes to other buildings on campus last school year.

Shane Anderson, department head of Music said the theater would be usable by the time the semester begins, but the department is trying to put off any significant performances before the renovations are completed. When the project is completed there will be a grand opening event that as of right now is planned for Sept. 22.

According to Anderson, faculty will be trained in August on how to use the new sound and lighting equipment. The highly sophisticated equipment will have capabilities for live streaming performances and events that will take place in the theater. Anderson also said that when the newly designed theater is completed, it will be a great recruiting tool for incoming students.

“It’s a great thing for our area high schools to see what we have here and experience what its like,” Anderson said. “They don’t have to go very far. A lot of high schools come here anyway for district seven events such as honor choir and it will be a great recruiting tool.”

Silverii said in the beginning stages of the project, architects brought in consultants who helped designed theaters like the Saenger and the Mahalia-Jackson in New Orleans.

“Even though we are a much smaller facility, the quality of it will match what you see in those facilities in New Orleans,” Silverii said.

When the renovations are finished Silverii is looking forward to enjoying the new scenery and seeing the students as well as faculty thrive in their new place.

“I want to see our students and faculty get back to their normal routine,” Silverii said. “In the TV studio, they will be able to produce what you see on your local news channels. To see our students get to that professional level would be exceptional.”

Anderson arrived on campus last fall when the construction began and he cannot wait for the finish product that will be a high quality performance hall.

“It will be a beautiful acoustical place that our students can really learn and see what its like to perform in a high quality performance hall, “ Anderson said. “The theater will be specifically designed to enhance the quality of what we have to show.”