Weekly one on one: Mr. Walker
Questions:
The Paly Voice: Are you enthusiastic about the new construction at Paly?
Mr. Walker: I’m enthusiastic for the outcome, but when school is in session it’s hard to deal with. It’s just something that has to be done and sometimes during a two and a half month period during the summer it can’t be finished.
V: Is a new amphitheater in the building plans?
W: That’s part of the plan, where it’s going to go and how much it’s going to cost, I have no idea. But, hopefully it will be completed and available for various activities.
V: Is the new quad going to be a swamp like the original quad is?
W: The intent is no. We are hoping it’s going to be planned better than that. I doubt that will happen again. Just the other day I got stuck out there. I felt like I was getting surrounded by water so I understand the frustration of the students, especially in the winter months.
V: What’s the deal with all this staff parking? Are we under construction for more staff spaces?
W: We needed to give some space for the staff because they couldn’t park in areas they wanted to park in. If you don’t get here early enough then the spaces are gone and we wanted to make sure we fixed that problem.
V: Do you have a favorite parking spot?
W: I like parking outside on the entry side, especially under those trees. You can usually get a good spot by coming early.
V: Do you have your name on a spot?
W: No, I just try to get here early enough to get a good spot. It’d be pretty neat to have a front spot with my name on it though.
V: The purpose of more carpool spots is to promote carpooling, do you think it worked?
W: I think its getting there. After the city council does their walk through we will be able to crack down and try to start more carpooling.
V: What are you planning to do in place of the old science building?
W: That’s going to be an area, for students to hang out during lunch and brunch. Right now we are just trying to get that grass to a point where we can walk on it. IT makes me happy, the science building was one of the uglier buildings and this will be nice especially with the trees.
V: How much did the new science building cost?
W: It was a lot, there was a lot to be done about that building and I don’t know the exact price.
V: How much did the piles of dirt cost?
W: Well, you know dirt varies.
V: Why did the new student center become the concert hall?
W: That was the only place available to fit the instruments because the music room is being redone.
V: So, are we going to see any concerts in there?
W: I don’t think so. The plan is for concerts to primarily be in the Haymarket Theater. But, with the way construction is going on campus, it may be a while before the music room is open for use.