Refurbished Hawkins Hall Pond Dedicated During Family Weekend
The newly renovated Hawkins Pond will officially reopen Saturday, Sept. 19 during a gathering beginning at 1:30 p.m.
The area had been offline for more than a year while work crews completed replaced the pond bedding and lining and installed rocks from the Champlain Valley along the shoreline to create natural seating. The pond was embellished with a waterfall, which formulates into three ponds — two cascading into one that then flows into the main body of water.
The new pond has a new pump and filtration system, making it easier to perform necessary maintenance without necessarily draining the pond, according to Rick Larche, capital project manager.
An outdoor learning lab for environmental science majors was included in the construction plans, with a wetland area that students will use to identify plants and rocks indigenous to the Champlain Valley.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 1:30 p.m. during the college’s annual Family Weekend, which begins Friday, Sept. 18. Special weekend events include a welcome reception Friday at 5:30 p.m. in the Winkel Sculpture Court, Myers Fine Arts Building, a pancake breakfast, fun run and musical entertainment on Saturday.