NWC to hold dedications and open house

Northwestern College will dedicate a new residence hall and renovated fitness center on Friday, Sept. 30, in separate ceremonies that are both open to the public.

Dedication of the college’s North Suites is scheduled for 10:45 a.m., with President Greg Christy and representatives of the student life staff, Board of Trustees, the dorm’s residents and Orange City taking part in the program. Following the dedication, the hall’s main lounge and several dorm rooms will be available for viewing.

Built for $3.5 million, North Suites is a three-story, 23,000-square-foot residence hall for men located just north of Stegenga Hall. It houses 68 students in 17 suites—each with its own bathroom—and includes numerous community areas, including a main floor lobby with adjoining full kitchen.

An open house for the DeWitt Physical Fitness Center is scheduled for 4 p.m. Refreshments will be available from 4 to 5 p.m., with a brief dedication ceremony set to begin at 4:30.

The four-court area of the fitness center, which is connected to the Rowenhorst Student Center, underwent a $1.5 million renovation this past summer. In addition to adding windows, the project included new flooring, lighting and an updated heating system. Also installed was new netting to better isolate activity on the courts from the track circling the facility’s perimeter.