Cline’s New Look
Photo by Emilie Adams
When the Cline dormitory gets brought up, many Centenary students would be able to give some description of the building—an open courtyard, a New Orleans style accented with a water fountain, eight people to a suite, etc. A similar characteristic that is closely tied to Cline’s name has been the Fishbowl. Having been a part of the Cline experience for years, the Fishbowl was the central point of the lobby. It was situated in one of the corners of the lobby and closed off with two, floor to ceiling glass panels. The area was designed as a place for students to either studying outside of their rooms or where friends could meet up; the glass panels allowed for very little sound to be transferred between the Fishbowl and the rest of the lobby. Filled with various armchairs and couches that have definitely seen better times, the Fishbowl was always a staple for Cline.
Photo by Emilie Adams
It seems though that the Fishbowl has served its time. The week before Mardi Gras break, Cline residents were met with construction going on in the lobby. When seeing workers planning among themselves and gesturing towards the Fishbowl, many could tell that something obviously was going to happen. What they did not expect, or at least so fast, was to see those two large panels be taken down. In just one day, Cline’s notorious Fishbowl was now marked by the columns that once held the panels. The furniture was temporarily shifted to make the lobby feel like one space instead of two. And now, a glass panel was placed across the small room near the entrance of the building and was labeled the new Fishbowl. The two following days were met with workers planning and gesturing more but not actually doing anything. When residents left for break, many of them did not envision coming back to an entirely new lobby.
Photo by Emilie Adams
The renovations for Cline’s lobby picked right back up 9:00 a.m. Monday morning of Mardi Gras break. Workers began their main task—ripping up the present carpet flooring. This process took almost two full days for them to complete. The flowing was ripped up from not just the lobby but also the tile in the kitchen. Appliances and furniture were constantly being shift around the remnants. Soon enough though, the space was cleared, and new wood floors were laid down. The effect of the wood was instant—the space already looking newer and more put together. Towards the end of the week, the columns were covered with their own wooden planks to hide the slots where the original glass panels had been. The furniture was shifted, and a few pieces were removed altogether. By Friday, Cline had a whole new lobby.
While the lobby was obviously the main goal, smaller actions were also done throughout the week to aid in Cline looking new. The kitchen and its appliances were cleaned out, and four garbage bags worth of never claimed clothing from the laundry room where donated. The courtyard fountain was drained and cleaned. All three levels of Cline’s balconies, railings, and walkways were power washed over the span of a day.
At the end of it all, it seemed the Cline, though still having signs of being well-loved, had gained a few years back. It is safe to say that as residents slowly made their way back to Cline, many were shocked by the new look (if the initial stops and dropped jaws were anything to go by). These building have been home to students for years and plan on being there for future years. For this to happen though, a little love and renovation is needed. And many students know just how much love Cline truly needs. Luckily, these renovations are only the beginning of what is in store for Cline…