A New Campus Landmark

Mik Buzalka

Gorecki Dining & Conference Center
St. Benedict College
St. Joseph, MN

Segment: College/University

Enrollment: 2,049 (all female)

Seating: 400

Hours:
Weekdays: 7 am - 10 pm (breakfast-7 am - 10 am, lunch-10 am - 3:30 pm, dinner-3:30 pm - 10 pm);
Weekends: 9 am - 10 pm (brunch-9 am - 10:30 am, lunch-10:30 am - 2 pm, dinner-2 pm - 10 pm)

Story: Gorecki was the result of a desire by the school for a modern dining space that accommodates the tastes and schedules of modern students and is more conveniently located than was the previous dining hall. That was a cramped, outdated, inconvenient space in the basement of an old building on the edge of the campus (the kitchen was originally used by the college's resident nuns).

The new space, next to a major campus bus stop and connected to the college library, is centrally located relative to academic and residence buildings. The dining hall is in on the first floor, sharing space with a fireside lounge and small conference rooms. The seating area features both long conference-style tables and smaller, more intimate rounds. The adjacent fireside lounge, with its lighting, color scheme, rich wood tables and upholstered furniture, offers an alternative, casual atmosphere.

Large curved windows lend an air of openness to the entire facility. The upper floors house the President's Dining Room and a 500-person conference room.

Food Stations: deli, homestyle, pizza/pasta, salad bar, soup, American grill, Mongolian grill, desserts

Budget: $12 million

Design: Porter Consulting Design Studio (foodservice consultant), STV Architects

Opened: Fall 2007