Local and college officials joined the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday afternoon.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts celebrated the completion of a two-year, $5 million renovation to Hoosac Hall on Thursday afternoon.
"It's a great building, always been a great building, and this project knocked it out of the park," said Dianne Manning, the director of residence life at MCLA and the former resident director — when she started working for the college in the 1980s — of Hoosac Hall.
The project was completed in two phases mostly during the previous two summers.
The first summer, the primary renovations were done to the bathrooms.
This past summer, the lobby was transformed into a residence floor. A new lobby was then built on the floor below, which was once home to the Hoosac Harbor, an open room set for games and activities. Now, the new lobby lies there, in addition to a massive study lounge, a kitchen, meeting rooms and a big-screen TV.
On the outside, the entrance was moved to the north side of the building.
President Mary Grant said these renovations created more space for a "living, learning community."
In addition to the more noticeable renovations, the mechanical systems were also upgraded for more efficient heating.
Grant stressed the renovations created more space for a "living, learning community."
"For those of you here who made this happen, hats off to you," Grant said.
Edward Adelman, executive director of the Massachusetts State College Building Authority, said he looks forward to continue working with MCLA. The MSCBA is a non-profit that works with the nine state colleges, primarily on residence halls.
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Mill Town Circus Highlights North Adams History for Fall Foliage
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Carlo Pellegrini takes on the role of ringmaster, storyteller and mill boss as North Adams' history is revealed through acrobatics.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The circus has come to town for this year's Fall Foliage Festival.
In line with this year's parade theme of Berk du Soleil, Mill Town Circus's bright yellow and blue tent went up this week at Noel Field Athletic Complex and will open on Friday night with a 90-minute production inspired by the city's manufacturing history. The performances will run this weekend and next.
Ringmaster and storyteller Carlo Pellegrini and Hilary Sweeney, founder of Westchester Circus Arts, are promising innovative and acrobatic performances by talented and experienced artists from circuses including Cirque du Soleil and from Ringling Brothers.
"These are the people that like, make it all happen. We wear so many hats," Sweeney said of the half-dozen or so crew who pitched in to put up the tent and take on other duties. "They're multi-talented performers.
Mayor Jennifer Macksey said the hope is that this will become an annual event that will provide something new and exciting for Fall Foliage.
The couple moved to the Berkshires five years ago, purchasing a home and few acres on Florida Mountain (Pellegrini says he loves snow and plowing). During the summer, they run circus camps in New York State.
Pellegrini's been in the business close to 50 years as a clown, juggler and ringmaster and Sweeney, who also has a background in ballet, has been an aerialist for nearly 20 years. She founded Westchester Circus Arts in 2012.
Mill Town Circus's bright yellow and blue tent went up this week at Noel Field Athletic Complex and will open on Friday night with a 90-minute production inspired by the city's manufacturing history.
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U.S. Sen. Edward Markey pledged his support as the city and its partners embark on an ambitious plan of refashioning the downtown, the Hoosic River, the bike path and the connections to the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. click for more
David Fabiano of Northern Berkshire Community Television Corp. has been selected as the grand marshal for the upcoming 68th annual Fall Foliage Parade presented by 1Berkshire. click for more