Merket Alumni Center Expansion Project Continues

Construction progresses on the Peggy and Bill Dean Expansion to Merket Alumni Center, set to be complete in Spring 2010.

Written by Chad Elrod

Alumni Highlights

expansion of the Merket Alumni Center

The expansion of the Merket Alumni Center continues to progress quickly. In the past week, a large portion of the cement floor has been poured. The roof is starting to be placed on the kitchen area and the outer-most wall of the new banquet room is nearing completion. New water lines have been installed and the transformer that will provide electricity to the entire Merket Alumni Center will come on line in the next few days.

Texas Tech Alumni Association (TTAA) broke ground May 12 on the Peggy and Bill Dean Expansion to Merket Alumni Center and concrete evidence of construction is everywhere.

View construction photos.

Scheduled to be completed in spring 2010, the expansion project will nearly double the present Merket Alumni Center by adding 10,694 square feet. A new, second entrance into the facility will open into the Peggy and Bill Dean Grand Reception Hall. Three new banquet/meeting rooms will be constructed on the west end of the building.

According to campaign fundraising chairperson Nelda Laney, the Building on Tradition capital drive that began last October has raised more than $2,534,660 to date toward the $4 million project budget.

Other features in the addition include a new serving kitchen with storage; a new circulation, staging and planning office; a bride’s room and new restrooms. The existing kitchen will be remodeled into an office suite for the association’s marketing department. Two memorial groves will be planted on the grounds, and a second courtyard will be built to the east, featuring an outdoor gazebo.

Joe D. McKay of JDMA, Inc. is the architect for the project, Lee Lewis Construction, Inc. is the general contractor, and Ogallala Construction Management is serving as project manager.

Jan 15, 2020