*Republished from the September 2015 issue of The Kayseean
By Hope Ragan
Construction on the Oval is obvious to everyone on the Bristol campus. Returning students and teachers alike struggle to navigate from one building to another around the Oval, while freshmen can only imagine how much easier it will be to get from the dining hall to the chapel or to the library, or to the fine arts building. Twenty years ago, Thomas Larson, director of Business Operations, was given the task of fixing up the Oval. Until now, he hadn’t had enough money in the budget to do anything but temporary solutions. However, with a budget of half a million dollars this year, repairs are underway. As he walked around the construction site, caking his boots in reddish clay, Larson commented on the construction. “We’re fixing drainage. We’re fixing the entrances to [four] buildings in addition to putting together a better Oval.”
Larson said BurWil Construction Company, the contractor for this project, plans to install French drains around the Oval to facilitate efficient draining. BurWil was contracted previously to build Nicewonder Hall.
Also, according to Larson, sidewalks have been dug up and redesigned. The previous way Oval bricks were laid had mortar connecting each brick. The new design, called basket-weave, presses each brick against the other, eliminating the need for mortar. Larson explained the change may seem minor, yet the new design improves the safety factor. Previously, when it rained, water seeped between the bricks. Freezing temperatures caused bricks to pop up or out, sometimes to the point where bricks would look like they were sitting on top of the sidewalk. In addition to the new design, two extra feet are being added to the width of the sidewalks. This is to make it easier for student foot traffic and to facilitate campus maintenance vehicles that need to access buildings circling the Oval. Also, concrete curbs are being added to the sides of the sidewalk to help keep bricks from sliding loose. Larson said they will also help the sidewalk to help keep bricks from sliding loose. Larson said they will also help the sidewalk last longer.
In the meantime, temporary fencing around trees and shrubbery are what passersby notice now. Larson explained, “We’re going to save everything we can. If we had not put those fences up we would have trampled the ground around those roots.” Larson said any trees or bushes damaged in the process will be replaced.
“One of the improvements we’re making is there used to be steps here leading to the Chapel and now there is going to be a ramp,” Larson said, “Any time we do [construction] work we try to improve accessibility wherever we can.” Finally, another amenity includes new lights around the Oval. In closing, Larson emphasized that students not enter the construction site without express permission and a chaperone.” Especially do not wander the site after dark,” he said. “There are lots of hazards on the site at this time.”
