By Jeff Murphy,
August 8, 2016
WARRENSBURG, MO – As the University of Central Missouri enhances its food service
options to students and the local community in the Elliott Student Union, the Board
of Governors has approved up to $300,000 in additional renovations and upgrades to
accommodate the new Steak ‘n Shake and the relocation of Chick-fil-A, both nationally
known food franchises. Board action took place during a meeting by telephone Aug.
5.
The board in April 2016 voted to invest up to $600,000 in Elliott Student Union reserve
funds for renovations needed to locate the new Steak 'n Shake near the Union Bowling
Center on the southwest side of the Union’s main floor, and to relocate Chick-fil-A
to the Union Food Courte area. Chick-fil-A previously occupied the same area that
will now become Steak ‘n Shake.
In the board’s recent teleconference, the decision was made to use Elliott Student
Union reserves funds on two major projects, one of them is to upgrade seating for
Steak 'n Shake. This includes a new area that could be used for overflow customers,
or as a meeting space, according to Deb Hobson, director of the Elliott Student Union.
The university projects these improvements to be completed by Aug. 22. Although hours
have not yet been announced, Hobson said the Steak ‘n Shake plans to operate seven
days a week, and there are plans to offer late night hours. The restaurant’s location
near the south entrance to the Union also will provide convenient community access.
The board’s Aug. 5 decision also makes possible a renovation project in the Food Courte
area that consists of an improved ventilation hood system to serve Chick-fil-A’s kitchen
area and other dining establishments in the same vicinity. Considering the complexity
of this renovation, along with Chick-fil-A’s and the university’s desire to provide
the highest quality dining experience to patrons without disrupting the flow of business
at other Food Courte establishments, the hood system upgrades will not take place
until the winter break. The restaurant would then be ready to serve customers in January,
when students return for the spring semester.
The change orders that will contribute to the refurbishment and refreshment of UCM’s
food service venues will cost about $300,000, utilizing UCM Elliott Student Union
reserve funds. This makes the total cost for dining service improvements in the Union
approximately $1.2 million. Through an agreement with the university, Sodexo, the
university’s dining services provider, has contributed about $300,000 of the total
project cost.
