Belmont Reveals Caf Renovation Plans

Rendering of the planned cafeteria renovation. (Provided by Keith Chapman)

Belmont Auxiliary Services unveiled full renovation plans for Harrington Place Dining Hall at a meeting on Tuesday, including a UCook station, brighter decorating and a more open floor plan. 

“We want to improve the student experience with a better space,” said Keith Chapman, associate vice president of Auxiliary Services. 

The renovation was originally scheduled for summer 2025, but because of the other construction projects occurring over the summer, it was delayed to summer 2026. 

The largest renovation will be the addition of the UCook station, replacing the booths behind the hamburger grill station. Supervised by a chef, students will be able to use daily ingredients to cook meals to their preferences. 

“Truthfully, it’s a life skill to learn how to cook,” said Chapman.

Left: Rendering of the planned UCook station in the cafeteria. (Provided by Keith Chapman). Right: The area where the UCook station will be as it is currently. (Olivia Abernathy)

Junior Austin Murphy, who grew up frequenting the cafeteria, likes the idea of the UCook station. 

“It sounds like there’s a lot of risk in there, but as long as there’s maintained control and supervision at all times that it’s open, I don’t really see a problem with it,” he said. “It teaches students how to cook, and they’ll be professionally taught.” 

In addition, renovations will open the floor plan and will add a foldable stage for acoustic student performances. Some lounge seating will be added next to the foldable stage. Auxiliary Services’ goal is to create more of a community space in the cafeteria to foster student connection. 

Left: Rendering of the open floor plan and the stage. (Provided by Keith Chapman) Right: The area where the stage will be as it is currently. (Olivia Abernathy)

Murphy said he thinks that these ideas will successfully foster community and the foldable stage especially will give students more opportunities to excel. 

However, freshman Makyah Cotton isn’t so sure that Auxiliary Services’ goal will be met. 

“I hope so, but there’s no telling with Belmont,” she said. 

Auxiliary Services announced several other changes to the cafeteria. The three podiums at the entrance will change to lanes to ease the flow of traffic.

Left: Rendering of the planned entrance into the cafeteria. (Provided by Keith Chapman) Right: The entrance as it is currently. (Olivia Abernathy)

Each food station will have an individual signature tile pattern, and the dark colors will become brighter. 

Left: Renderings of the cafeteria after the planned renovations, included lighter flooring and wood decorations. (Provided by Keith Chapman) Right: The same area of the cafeteria as it is currently. (Olivia Abernathy)

An LED wall will be on one of the cafeteria walls. Chapman said that they don’t know what will be shown, but it will always be Belmont-focused and won’t play a TV channel. 

Left: An LED wall, comprised of TV screens, will be added to one of the walls of the cafeteria. (Provided by Keith Chapman) Right: The same area of the cafeteria as it is now. (Olivia Abernathy)

In addition to cafeteria renovations, a new meal plan will be added. The MVP meal plan will include unlimited cafeteria meal swipes, $300 dining dollars per semester and three flex passes a day. 

Cotton doesn’t think Belmont needs a new meal plan. Murphy isn’t sure if it’s necessary, but he thinks Belmont should still try it out for a year. 

“It’s not a bad idea,” said Murphy. 

Overall, Belmont wants to modernize the cafeteria and make it lighter and brighter, said Chapman at the meeting. It’s been the same since it first opened in 2015, he said, and it’s time for a refresh. 

“I’ve grown up on this campus, and I remember when it first opened. It’s always been the same,” said Murphy.

Written by Olivia Abernathy