University of Virginia Library

Money No Object

Money being no object,
since students are to pay the
bill, why, then, don't they just
build it?

One of the explanations
advanced by members of the
Rathskeller Committee is that
the appeal the project holds for
architectural and construction
firms, already minimal due to
the small size of the job, has
been lessened by the fact that
the work will involve designing
and building the pub around an
existing structure. "It's the
kind of job they hate to do,"
said former Rathskeller
Committee Chairman,
Professor of Speech and Drama
David W. Weiss.

When work finally does
begin on the Rathskeller, the
difficulties will lie not in the
cost, according to Newcomb
Hall Director John A. Herring,
but in the fact that the project
will not involve construction so
much as renovation, In his
words, "Renovations are
gruesome."

Installation of water
facilities and air conditioning
are among the problems that
will be encountered, and as a
consequence, the game room,
dark room, and woodwork
shop might be forced to close
as work proceeds.

The Richmond
architectural firm of Rollins,
Wilson, and Fraher has been
contracted to do the planning
of the project, following
guidelines and ideas developed
by University students and Mr.
Weiss. The final drawings,
which were to have been
received by February 1, have
now been completed.

Dean of Students and
Rathskeller Committee
Chairman Robert T. Canevari
said that he's "shooting for
September for the opening of
the pub. A great deal depends
on whether the Department of
Buildings and Grounds will be
able to fit the work into its
schedule before next fall.

When contacted, Director
of Buildings and Grounds H.I.
Taylor stated that from March
15 to April 1, Buildings and
Grounds' schedule will be
filled, leaving only April and
May for work on the
Rathskeller. "From June 1 on
we'll be running mad getting
classrooms and offices ready
for the next year," he said.

Asked if he felt the
prospects would be good for
the completion of the pub by
September were Buildings and
Grounds to take on the
project, Mr. Taylor replied
"My guess at this point would
be no."

If Buildings and Grounds
does not take the Rathskeller
project, bids will be accepted
from private contractors,
which according to Mssrs.
Canevari and Herring will result
in a further delay of the job.

According to Mr. Taylor, a
substantial increase in the
price might also result.

While he said he remained
"optimistic," Mr. Herring
could not say that the
Rathskeller would be open in
the fall of 1973. When asked if
he thought construction would
begin this semester, he said
"Whether we'll (Buildings and
Grounds) do it or an outside
contractor will I don't know
yet, but I'd be one surprised
person if construction starts by
April 1."