Pocket change: Renovated Union Billiards offers fun and games

by Sam Seaver, Chronicle staff

Marta Benevente, a graduate student in Civil and Environmental Engineering, sizes up a shot. (Stan Sherer photo)

fter a 1 1/2-year hiatus, Union Billiards re-opened under new management in the Student Union last month across from the Hatch, following a renovation estimated at $10,000.

     The space was returned to duty after serving as a temporary home of the University Store, which was forced to relocate in fall 2001 for asbestos removal.

     David Hansen, the new student manager, approached Lincoln Campus Center director Meredith Schmidt about re-opening the games room when the University Store moved back to its original location. Paul MacGregor, who manages concessions at campus athletic events, led the renovation process and room design and worked with Hansen to improve the facilities and create a friendlier atmosphere for patrons. According to Schmidt and MacGregor, who is the new head manager of Union Billiards, David Kuschi of Food Services also assisted in the renovation process and helped to get vendor services.

     The room now features air hockey, foosball, ping-pong, and hoop-shot basketball, in addition to professional quality pool tables in the previous games room. They have also added a juke-box, several wall-mounted TVs, snack machines and a lounge area to encourage use of the room between classes as well as at night.

     In addition to these new facilities, MacGregor designed a new logo, painted by Californian artist David Steele. Steele also hand-painted chess and checkerboard tables in the lounge area and will soon be adding original artwork to the room.

     "We really want to improve the room and use it to its full potential. I see what we have done so far as the beginning rather than the end of the process," said MacGregor. "I want faculty and staff to feel as welcome as the students to use the room. Union Billiards is available to be rented out for conferences, faculty meetings as well as by student groups and is also available to guests of the Campus Center Hotel. We plan to start holding inter-residence hall tournaments, get live bands to play here, have a weekly ladies night and just keep adding to the room to draw as many people as possible."

     Union Billiards will be offering an expediting service, which allows food to be ordered and served from the nearby Hatch and the Blue Wall.

     In addition to new art work, MacGregor and Steele are currently designing T-shirts that will be for sale to popularize the new room.

Union Billiards is open Monday to Wednesday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Thursday and Friday 11 a.m.-midnight, Saturday 3 p.m.- midnight, and Sunday 3 p.m.-11 p.m.