(Alissa White -- The Beacon)
By Joanna Goodwin, Staff Writer -- goodwin12@up.edu
Problems with The Chapel of Christ the Teacher's original infrastructure have surfaced, requiring updates.
"The sound system was failing and on its last leg, and the lighting systems tracks were failing and needed to be replaced," Fr. Gary Chamberland, C.S.C., director of Campus Ministry, said.
It was not until November when Chamberland and the rest of the church discovered how bad the lighting had become.
"I came out here (to the aisle) and I tripped over a pew. I had never realized how dark it was," Chamberland said.
Construction began Dec. 20.
"(The issues) are mostly electrical and we wanted to brighten up the ceiling so it can reflect the surrounding light instead of sucking it up," Paul Luty, the director of Facilities Planning and Construction, said.
The ceiling was painted and will soon have all the metal wiring for the new lights hidden behind long planks of lighter colored wood.
In addition to the lighting upgrades, the fire detection system will be updated, a skylight will be added and the top six feet around the cupola will have an ice and water shield.
"The Chapel should be ready by the first week of March," Luty said.
"All Masses are being held in BC Auditorium, which is pushing the size limit for times like Junior Parents Weekend and Ash Wednesday," Chamberland said. "But if we need to, Christie Chapel is helping a lot as well with overflow."
Junior Douglas Orofino, a member of the Chapel Choir, is excited about the chapel updates.
"The lighting will make it easier to read the music we're singing and the other elements will give the building better acoustics, which will make it easier to hear the choir and produce a more balanced sound," he said.
-Joanna Goodwin
