Physical Plant to replace grass in quad with cement
Kit Redinthefacer, Staff Reporter
With the return of spring, and subsequently, the end of the semester, Regis students look forward to the fresh smell of green grass and newly raked mulch, repainted buildings and renovated staircases, repaved parking lots and Windexed windows. And while Physical Plant is perhaps one of the most dedicated and hardworking departments on campus, this "springly" ritual has placed severe strain on the resources and employees which Physical Plant has available.
As one Physical Plant employee put it, "Frankly, we're just pooped."
In order to remedy the problem, this spring, Physical Plant will be adding extensively to Regis' sidewalks, using cement, brick, and a rainbow of colors to completely remove the beautiful green lawns which have been a part of campus since the foundation of the college.
Gerard Herry, a Physical Plant employee who has been working at Regis since 1998, says that he is sorry to see the grass go, but even sorrier to see the grass grow, "The up-keep on that grass is ridiculous," he said, "I think it'd be best to just completely remove it. Maybe we could sell it on Ebay."
Although Ebay has not been seriously considered, Regis University will be devoid of grass, "by any and all-means necessary," Herry said.
The first area to be removed will be the Boetchetter commons, followed by the grotto in front of O'Connell Hall, the alcove behind Carroll Hall, and finally the Beach by the Town Houses. As Herry explained, Physical Plant employees will cut the sod, roll the pieces up, and then remove the pieces.
"Unfortunately, we have to keep the athletic fields," said one disgruntled employee, "I guess it would be hard to play soccer without grass."
Of course, concerns with beautification and maintaining a swell-looking campus, have been discussed by Physical Plant, "We have a plan," said another employee, "it involves a lot of cement and a lot of work, but it's better than mowing the grass everyday."
Moe Kipkip, the director of Physical Plant, explained that once all the sod has been removed, cement will be poured over the bare patches, creating wide expanses of solid walking space. After the cement has set and dried, Physical Plant plans to paint the Boetchetter commons and other once grass inhabited places green.
"We might actually paint the school crest too," Herry said.
"Maintaining a beautiful campus is our number one priority," Kipkip said, "but how can we do that without straining ourselves? It's not that we don't like to work, it's that there is just so much work to do."
Kipkip explained that the sheer man power needed to maintain the Regis campus, is simply not enough.
"I think our future plan is pretty good," he said, "well, at least those kids on skateboards can have a little more range to roam."