Lyon College in Batesville is scheduled to open a $9.6 million student center in August.
The 44,000-SF building replaces the student center that was destroyed in an October 2010 fire.
The two-story student center features a 352-seat dining hall, kitchen, deck, game room, health and wellness facilities, counseling offices, a bistro and a bookstore, said Lyon spokesman Bob Qualls.
The Lyon College board of directors recently decided to name the building Edwards Commons, which was the name of the student center that was destroyed.
“John Edwards and his family were very strong supporters of the College and I am pleased their name will still be featured on this prominent building on campus,” Donald Weatherman, Lyon College president, said in a news release.
Students had been eating meals in the Small Gym portion of Becknell Gymnasium before they moved in the fall to a 270-seat temporary dining hall, according to the news release.
The center was designed by Roark Perkins Perry Yelvington Architects in Little Rock. The general contractor is East-Harding Inc. of Little Rock. Construction started in October 2011.
The building is being paid for with insurance proceeds from the fire and from donations, according to the news release.
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