Last Updated: 15.Feb.2018

If you’ve been to the Outdoor Center recently, you likely noticed new construction surrounding the Dining Hall. This construction is associated with our current building project: a renovation and expansion of the Hall. The Dining Hall and its fantastic meals are a focal point to the Craftsbury experience for summer campers, skiers, and residents alike. At the completion of our recent Hilltop Cabins project, it became apparent that a renovation of the Dining Hall would be the next important facilities update.

With frequent consultation from Craftsbury Outdoor Center staff, local architect Patrick Kane has designed a renovation plan for the existing dining hall structure, as well as the addition of a new kitchen and an improved entryway. The new kitchen will feature a larger space with improved workflow, with requisite food preparation, storage, and walk-in cooler spaces. This kitchen will be connected to the existing structure along the west side, at the service-entrance end of the building. The finished compilation of old and new will form a predominately L-shaped structure. A smaller addition will extend out from the center of the east side of the building, serving as the main entrance and coatroom. The existing building will undergo minor renovations to bolster the structural supports, raise the interior ceiling, and improve the insulation, as well as to expand the seating area to stretch the whole length of the building. The exterior of the existing building will remain the same, to preserve the character of the building and the campus that we have all come to know and love. However, a new wrap-around deck and covered porch will be installed, as shown in the rendering, with more space for enjoying sunshine and views of the lake, and with better connectivity with the waterfront-access path. Be sure to check out the 3D artistic rendering and elevation sketches prepared by Patrick Kane, visible alongside this news release, for an idea of the new facility we can all look forward to enjoying!

Construction on the new kitchen and entryway is underway, and will continue throughout the winter. The renovation of the existing structure is expected to be undertaken in Spring 2018, shortly followed by joining of the segments, with a planned opening date of May 2018.