The long-awaited Vista Dining Complex opening has been pushed back again after continuous delays.
Communication Specialist Aaron Lambert said Campus Dining is expected to gain access and move into the building this spring. There is a planned soft opening for summer.
The complex was initially expected to be open at the start of the academic year.
“I was hoping I would at least get to enjoy the new dining complex my senior year,” child development senior Shawn Bogan said. “Not only is it inconvenient to have construction going on on campus, but it’s also frustrating that other buildings around San Luis Obispo always seem to be built more quickly than ours.”
In 2016, Cal Poly began building Vista Grande with the closure of the existing 43-year-old complex.
“The new Vista Grande complex is the first step in a master plan to upgrade aging campus dining facilities and the food program overall,” Lambert said. “The plan was developed taking into account the latest culinary trends and university community feedback.”
Lambert said there are multiple reasons for the delays. For example, applying for permits and the wet winter seasons have slowed down progress.
“This is a very large construction project with a number of different stakeholders including not only the campus but also the CSU and the state,” Lambert said.“These delays are always considered when building a project timeline, however some of them took longer than expected.”
Vista Grande’s $36 million dollar building will include numerous upgrades.
The complex will include six venues that will offer made-to-order operations from international street food and all-day breakfast, to a stone-fired pizza oven and an allergen free café, Lambert said. There will be indoor and outdoor seating with additional lounge space and games tables.
The building is expected to be LEED Certified for Sustainability. According to the US Green Building Council Website, “LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building types, LEED provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.”