News

Something for everyone at Wells Commons

Hasan Haider

Posted on Sept. 15, 2008, at 12:00 a.m.

Students at the University of Maine now have a new place to eat. Wells Conference Center replaced the Wells Commons on June 21.

Glenn Taylor, executive chef for Hilltop Commons and Wells Center, considers the facility the second largest project on campus in recent years since the Student Recreation and Fitness Center. Better dining opportunities and a new menu have attracted many patrons.

Located behind Lord Hall, Wells is the fifth dining commons, on campus – the third that is currently open. The facility that once served only students with meal plans is now open to everyone.

“We wanted resident students, commuters, faculty and staff to be able to use this facility,” said Kathy Kittridge, associate director of dinning services. “We offer good value for meal plans. Our prices are competitive for non-meal plan customers.”

It took five to six weeks to demolish the previous structure. During the two-year, $11-million construction, Wells Center had no deadlines. As a result, there were numerous delays in completing the conference rooms and cafeteria.

“It’s hard to open during a semester,” Taylor said. The idea to open Wells Commons June 21 was to allow plenty of time to train the staff and make menu adjustments.

From paninis, pizza and gelato to the salad and stir fry bars, Wells Center offers a variety of dining options.

“Paninis are very big and draw people there,” said Kenneth Violette, dining service manager. “The market place is very busy; this will give people another option.”

In the middle of the fall semester, the meal exchange will include the to-go option, which will offer choices like rotisserie chicken and reheatable microwave meals.

The conference center at the top floor opened in late April and facilitates student and non-student meetings. It also hosts catering events.

The grand opening for the cafeteria on the ground floor is anticipated sometime in October, while the conference rooms will open during the spring semester.

“We are really excited about the opening,” Violette said. “It only gets better from here.”

Wells Center is open weekdays from Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This entry was posted on Monday, September 15th, 2008, 12:00 am. You can follow any responses to this article through the RSS feed.