The Lowman Student Center Expansion at Sam Houston State University is officially open.
The new $40 million building, which is adjoined to the existing LSC, is 80,000 square feet and contains meeting rooms, study areas, a brand new ballroom, an atrium, a courtyard, a patio, restaurants and the new Kat Klub.
“We’ve worked so hard on this part of the project,” LSC Director Rob Webber said. “Down to every last detail, fabrics and furniture selections. All of those details to really tell a story of the spirit and tradition that is Sam Houston State University.”
The newly relocated Kat Klub consists of an eight-lane bowling alley, six orange billiard tables, video games, a small stage and performance area, and the brand new Three Horse Tavern that will serve wine and beer.
Steak ‘n’ Shake and Oath Pizza are new additions to the university and sit on the first floor of the LSC expansion building just outside the doors of the Kat Klub.
The 10,000 square-foot Orange Ballroom sits on the second floor. It can be used as a single large venue but is also divisible into four separate spaces. The ballroom features a large stage, theatrical lighting and speakers with advanced sound capabilities.
“This is a standard concert rig,” Webber said. “This is the stuff that you’re seeing in Houston at any of your concert venues. We now have that capability here in Huntsville at Sam Houston State University. This is more sound than we need in this space, but it gives us the ability to do anything and everything in here.”
With phase one of the LSC Expansion Project completed, phase two will begin in March and will renovate the existing LSC building and add about 1,900 square feet to the structure. Phase two will cost $15.65 million. The renovations will begin on the west end of the third floor by the President’s Dining Room, the east wing of the second floor by the Dean of Students Office and the old Kat Klub.
“We have a plan,” Webber said. “It’s a good plan, and as we go we’ll roll with the punches and make it work.”
According to Webber, the purpose of this phase is not to have an ‘old’ and a ‘new.’ The major goal of this renovation is to create one single, seamless area consisting of the existing LSC and the expansion building.
