By ALEX CAMBOURIS
“The Powerhouse is the heart of our campus community.” This is the first line found on Beloit’s official website within the section labeled “About The Powerhouse.” 2009 was the year the then-president of Beloit College, Scott Bierman, announced the school’s plans to renovate the old Blackhawk Generating Station into a community space. His ideas were fully realized, over a decade later, in August of 2020 when renovations were finally completed. With the aid of The Alexander Company and Studio Gang Architects, The Powerhouse we know today was born.
But does The Powerhouse truly live up to its full potential? Are all 120,000 square feet utilized in such a way that benefits the student population? Recent changes have led many to ask these very questions. At first glance, the space provides a wealth of opportunities for multiple activities. It features many comfortable seating areas, a full-size theater, multiple classroom and office spaces, a gym, a field house, and even a swimming pool. Who could forget the gaming lounge, complete with flat-screen TVs, pool and ping pong, arcade machines, and of course, shuffleboarding. This all sounds very nice, but the place tends to invoke an emotion of unease. The high ceilings and endless hallways may exemplify that feeling, but it ultimately comes from the place’s profound emptiness. Where is everybody, exactly?
There are several factors at play that may explain why there are so few people at The Powerhouse these days. One student, Ryan Pham’26, had this to say about the state of The Powerhouse, “There’s nothing to do unless I want to go to the gym. There’s rarely events here, I normally came for Hamilton’s, but now, there’s DK’s.” Pham highlights many grievances students have with The Powerhouse, most notably the loss of Hamilton’s this year. The year prior, dozens would gather in line awaiting hot food and cafe delicacies; luxuries that now can be enjoyed within the Pearson’s building. Now, the section that once housed Hamilton’s is closed off, soon to undergo construction. “We don’t know specifically what’s going on with the construction,” front desk receptionist Nerlyn Ramos’27, had to say in light of the project. While we students are left uninformed about the details of the construction, we do know that part of the plan is to move Commons into The Powerhouse. Knowing this, the state of the building may change drastically in the coming years. It remains to be seen how this change will affect the future of Beloit College.
So to answer the question: Who is Even Using The Powerhouse Right Now? Well, nobody really, but we all will soon! So buckle your fuckle and get ready to cross that huge bridge in the freezing cold every day.
Featured Image: Sophia Nitsche’25
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