Gayle Seymour, associate dean in the College of Fine Arts and Communication, Shelley Mehl, associate vice president for Outreach and Community Engagement, Stacy Hurst, director of the Arkansas Department of Arkansas Heritage and UCA President Tom Courtway at the grand reopening of McCastlain Hall.
The University of Central Arkansas announced the grand reopening of its newly renovated McCastlain Hall on Friday.
The recent renovations, funded by grants from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council (ANCRC), have restored McCastlain’s original architectural beauty while updating the design and in-house audiovisual capabilities, making it a premiere venue for campus and community functions.
McCastlain Hall currently houses the Office of the Dean for the College of Fine Arts and Communication, Office of International Engagement and the Baum Gallery.
“We are very grateful for the generosity of the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council. Without the thoughtful consideration of its board of directors, UCA would not have been able to rehabilitate and restore McCastlain Hall, which is now part of the UCA Historic District,” said UCA President Tom Courtway. “The remodel not only brought back to life many of the original design elements of the original 1939 cafeteria, it also features state-of-the art electrical and audio visual components that will make this building functional for all audiences.”
McCastlain Hall, the original campus cafeteria, was constructed in 1939 with economic stimulus money during the Great Depression. It doubled in size with a 1963 addition and was renamed in 1996 for O.L. McCastlain, a star track athlete for the UCA Bears in the 1930s and a university benefactor.
For several semesters, senior interior design students conducted countless hours of research and developed plans to assist with the renovation of McCastlain Hall. Using the research and information gathered by the students, the architectural firm of StocksMann Architects transformed the spaces into functional and dynamic event centers.
The total renovation of McCastlain Hall was nearly $1.9 million dollars and took three years to complete.
“The East Commons Ballroom is an ideal location for any large function like banquets, weddings, receptions and events that require more space. The Fireplace Room offers a cozier setting creating the perfect option for smaller events. Overall, the space is very adaptable accommodating between 40 to 200 people,” said Melanie Watson, director of conference services.
For more information or to book the space, please contact Melanie Watson, director of conference services, at (501) 852-2699 or conferenceservices@uca.edu
