As campus enrollment continues to grow at record levels, dining needs of students are being met by a new concept—the first all-you-can-eat dining facility resides alongside a new dual-line Subway in Crossroads, located on the hill between the Lupton Library and Oak Street. Dining options include brick oven pizza, home-style cooking, burgers and hotdogs, ice cream, pasta, soup and salad, and other delicious items.
The completion of this $3.1 million renovation project was made possible by the University’s partnership with ARAMARK. Sixteen local companies and nearly 80 construction workers worked over the summer months to open the facility on time and on budget. ARAMARK is employing about 75 people, either full time or part time, to operate this facility.
Both Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield and Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger were on hand to help cut the ribbon and officially open the new facility. Tom Dorer, regional vice president of ARAMARK’s Higher Education Southern Region, said the renovated facility has been under discussion for years.
“What you’ll see when you walk in is a bountiful display of food with very happy employees here to serve you,” Dorer said. “This is what students need and want, a place to eat and congregate.”
Students will be eating together at Crossroads, walking from their apartments together, and getting to know one another in a way that builds true community, according to Dr. Richard Brown, Vice Chancellor of Finance and Operations.
“As UTC grows with more students living on campus, this is the type of facility we need—one that serves the dual purposes of functionally feeding students while giving them a place to socialize and interact away from class. We will be nurturing their bodies just as well as we are nurturing their minds,” Brown said.
As the University begins fall semester with strong and vibrant academic programs and merchants paint the town Blue and Gold to welcome students, Chancellor Roger Brown expressed his pride.
“This is an exciting time to be part of UTC, and this new facility just adds to that excitement,” he said.
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