Belmont Abbey College has embarked on significant enhancements to our college. This is a time of great transformation for the Abbey, and we ask for your continued support and patience as these new facilities come online. See below for updates regarding all of these new endeavors.
For students and parents impacted by these changes see the FAQ at the bottom of the page and please send any questions or concerns to construction@bac.edu.
New Women’s Residence Hall
Completed the week of September 18th
Milestones:
- Exterior masonry – COMPLETED
- Building energized with permanent power – COMPLETED
- Elevator inspection – COMPLETED
- Plumbing and mechanical inspection for floors 3 & 4 – COMPLETED
- Equipment start-ups and testing – COMPLETED
- Final Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Inspections – COMPLETED
- Dorm furniture assembled and installed (on site as of 8/2) – COMPLETED
- Life Safety Inspection including fire system – COMPLETED
New Men’s Residence Hall
MOVE IN COMPLETE
ADDITIONAL UPDATES – IN PROGRESS
FINALIZED LANDSCAPING – IN PROGRESS
Milestones:
- Exterior masonry – COMPLETED
- Building energized for permanent power – COMPLETED
- Elevator inspection – COMPLETED
- Equipment start-ups and testing – COMPLETED
- Final Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Inspections – COMPLETED
- Dorm furniture assembled and installed – COMPLETED
- Life Safety Inspection including fire system – COMPLETED
Existing Dining Hall Renovation
Expansion Complete January 2024
Interior Completed in August
We are on schedule to have the interior of the existing dining hall renovated to seat full capacity by August 18. The exterior expansion will still be under construction through the fall semester but it is scheduled to be complete and open after winter break.
To accommodate any overflow, we are creating a couple of permanent spaces next to the dining hall and continuing our To Go service. More details will follow.
Gaston Science Building Microbiology Lab
Complete by August 2023
The microbiology lab, prep room, handicap accessible restroom and upgrades to the fire safety system is on schedule and will be complete prior to the fall semester.
Campus Security Gates
Installed and Fully Operational Fall 2023
The college has decided to install gates at the main front entrance and at the entrance to our residential side of campus as an added security feature operated by individual key cards.
Primary installation will occur over the summer. As we work to get everyone acclimated, the gates will remain open. You will receive a special notice along with instructions once they become fully operational.
Baseball 3rd Base Dugout
Complete by August
A completely new, larger dugout shall be complete prior to the fall semester!
Message to Our Campus Community
Most importantly, thank you for your patience. While it is exciting to renovate and grow, it comes with the need to be flexible, be kind and work as a community.
Safety Notice:
Please stay out of the construction gates.
We are installing more than 55 new cameras with this construction.
For those interested in the industry, here are some challenges we encountered:
- The new residence halls area had “untapped” earth so locating underground utilities from the past 150 years was a puzzle we continue to piece together. BAC has some utilities that we own like well water and electric but we also use city water, Duke energy electric, Dominion gas. We found old steam pipes that had been abandoned. Even the latest technology, GPRS (ground penetrating radar signals) and EM (electromagnetic) locators that was used by professionals to locate pipes still wasn’t able to identify some. We refer to it as the spaghetti underground.
- Not only are we adding two new residence halls but as a result we had to upgrade utilities – one of them being the sewer pipe. BAC opted to use an innovative pipe bursting method in order to save many trees and bushes.
- Encountered 4 month delay due to shortage of electricians but we rectified it to only one month by breaking contracts and hiring another company
- Due to supply chain issues many material lead times are especially long but we knew this starting the project and we ordered ahead of schedule or found alternative products
- The permitting process that is usually 4-6 weeks stretched out to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will my residence be during the delay?
The college has secured rooms at the college’s expense in local hotels, some on Abbey land and co-owned by the monastery. You will reside in one of these four hotels:
- https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/cltblhx-hampton-charlotte-belmont-at-montcross/
- https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/cltbtht-home2-suites-charlotte-belmont/
- https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/cltfh-fairfield-inn-and-suites-charlotte-belmont/overview/
- https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/belmont/mthly/hoteldetail
Each hotel will have additional security from our own campus police and local law enforcement.
What is the check-in process?
All students staying in the hotels will first check in at the Residence Life Office, like normal. Once cleared, you will then receive the address of your hotel and further instructions. When you arrive for check-in at the Residence Life office, please keep all of your belongings in your car. While check-in at your hotel begins at 3:00p, you should still check in at the Residence Life office on your approved day and during your approved window.
Will we have roommates at the hotel?
You will have a roommate in the hotel, for a short time, depending on your individual arrival times you may have a different roommate from the one you are planning to have in the new residence for a short time. You will also have an RA in the hotel with you.
Will the college provide storage on campus?
No. There are several local self-storage options. We encourage students to work together to solve this challenge. The college will discount all displaced students for this and other inconveniences resulting from the delay.
Will the college provide any discounts for our inconvenience?
Yes. We understand the inconvenience of additional travel, storage and access to dining and laundry. For that inconvenience we will provide a discount of $135 per week (depending on which room style). Discounts will be applied to student’s billing accounts beginning the week of October 2.
Will there be transportation from the hotel to the college?
Yes. The College will provide a shuttle service to and from each hotel for any student needing transportation. The shuttle will run from approximately 7:30 am to 9:30 pm with increased frequency in the morning for early classes. The College will communicate any changes or extensions. The College will also provide “on demand” transportation to and from the main campus daily from 9:00 pm until 12:00 am. We will provide a detailed schedule soon.
Will there be security at the hotel?
Yes, the College is adding additional security at each hotel, including additional support from the City of Belmont and Mount Holly.
Why does the college require students to live on campus?
The college has always had a policy requiring residency for all of our students. Existing research demonstrates that students who live on campus have a higher success rate and have a better community experience.
How will we do laundry at the hotel?
Laundry does cost money to do at the hotel. The cost of laundry is included in the $85/week discount, applied to student’s billing accounts on October 2nd.
Will breakfast be provided for students at the hotels?
Yes, a free breakfast is available for all students staying at the hotels.
Will there be free parking at the hotel?
Yes, each hotel has ample free parking for our students.
Will campus policies continue at the hotel?
Yes. Student handbook policies remain in effect at the hotels. Resident Assistants will be living and supporting students in the hotels in ways similar to if they were on campus.
