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RENDERING COURTESY OF THOMAS HACKER ARCHITECTS

OUT WITH THE OLD. Thereâ??s a big gaping hole where the Dawg Shed used to be on campus at the University of Washington-Tacoma, but it will soon be the home of the universityâ??s new assembly hall, scheduled for completion in 2008.

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UWT sacrifices Dawg Shed for new assembly hall

By Matt Nagle

The Dawg Shed at the University of Washington-Tacoma (UWT) is no more. Last week, a demolition crew finished tearing down the building to make way for the universityâ??s new 20,000-square-foot assembly hall that is scheduled for completion in fall 2008.

UWT spokesperson Mike Wark said that while lots of people are sure to have fond memories of gala events, live music and other good times in the Dawg Shed, its condition made it apparent that the time had come to say goodbye to the beloved structure.

This is also the first year that UWT has admitted freshman students; as the student population continues to grow, the campus must grow with it, according to Ysabel Trinidad, vice-chancellor for administrative services at UWT. One way to do this, she said, is to build the new multi-purpose hall with a commons area for students to gather and room for groups of 500 or more for special events like public lectures, performances and classes.

â??There really is no space for the campus to provide a venue for large gatherings,â?? she noted. â??With the campus growing, it is sort of evolutionary in the development of the campus to need that kind of space.â??

â??Many have fond memories of events in the Dawg Shed, but they also remember how cold they were at those events,â?? Work remarked, recalling the last time football fans gathered in the shed to watch the Apple Cup on a big screen television, an annual favorite. In fact, it became so difficult to regulate temperatures in the corrugated metal shed, â??the health department informed us that itâ??s not a good idea to serve food in there,â?? Wark commented.

He said the new assembly hall â??will really transform that space into the centerpiece for the campus.â??

â??Having that kind of space adds to student life here,â?? Trinidad added.

Plans for the $12 million building have been in the works since 2004. It will be funded by $7 million from the state, which the legislature approved in 2005, and $5 million in private donations. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 28.

The hall is designed by Thomas Hacker Architects of Portland, Ore., a firm recognized for excellence in its work on university campuses including University of Washington, Washington State University and Lewis & Clark College, among many others.

The new structure will consist of three floors. The ground floor will be on Pacific Avenue; it will provide retail space and include a gallery that will house both a permanent art collection and rotating exhibits of works by faculty and students. Entry to the second floor will be on Commerce Street; that floor will serve as the main assembly hall. The third floor will be like a mezzanine and offer students collaborative study areas.

Wark said the front of the building will be mostly glass, some of it frosted, and its architectural lines will complement and reflect those of the historic buildings nearby. He noted that the university has been working with the city of Tacomaâ??s Landmarks Preservation Commission and that all designs â??met with their approval.

â??It will be a striking and welcome addition to Pacific Avenue frontage,â?? Wark commented. â??Weâ??re very pleased to be adding to a vibrant neighborhood and contributing to the historic nature of this district.â??

Will the university bring back the traditional Apple Cup parties once the hall is complete? â??I would not be surprised if we do,â?? Wark said with a laugh. â??I know one thing: it will be a lot warmer than it was in that old shed.â??

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