Community Center Transforming Spaces. Transforming Lives.
As Wabash College looks to a third century of excellence, the addition of a new community center will provide spaces and opportunities for people to come together for food, fellowship, and events, while welcoming local Crawfordsville and Montgomery County organizations and nonprofits year-round.
The center will bustle with activity and create “human friction” when students catch-up with friends and meet new people. Having local community groups interact with our students all the time will enhance quality of life. Using the center and adjacent campus spaces will strengthen the local non-profit ecosystem, which in turn will transform lives at Wabash and in the local community.
The red brick structure will easily blend in to the existing campus, yet will showcase a new energy for all to study and engage, as well as kick back and relax. Tons of windows, broad hallways, an open staircase, and multiple dining options will bring together the campus and community around great food, conversation, and limitless opportunity.
The second floor draws on the buzz and extends the building’s reach, thanks to flexible spaces that will enhance both the student experience and signature Wabash and community events. A grand room can be used for small-group study, board meetings, and expand to host 250 people for banquet-style events.
The center offers spots for students to blow off steam and recharge, and places for alumni and parents to gather and reconnect with old friends or new community acquaintances at Wally’s Pub or while shooting pool and catching the game.
Support
Wabash continues to secure funding for the community center and invites philanthropic support from alumni, friends, and interested community members. Several naming opportunities are available to recognize generous gift commitments to the project of $25,000 or more. Contact a member of the Advancement team at 877-743-4545 or at advancement@wabash.edu for additional information.
Floor Plans
With the generous support of alumni and friends, along with a College and Community Collaboration (CCC) initiative grant provided by Lilly Endowment Inc., the 38,000-square-foot showpiece features three levels of activity that will include a new dining hall, community event space, meeting rooms, and public-facing pub-style restaurant, among other amenities.
News & Updates
Wabash Receives $25 Million Grant from Lilly Endowment
In addition to partially funding the community center, the historic grant will help nonprofits gain access to the College’s resources, purposefully strengthen ties with the Latino community, and fund early childhood education in Montgomery County, among other efforts to enhance community collaboration.
Community Center Groundbreaking Celebration - January 25, 2025
Join President Scott E. Feller and members of the Board of Trustees for a groundbreaking celebration of this historic moment for Wabash College and Montgomery County at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2025 in the Sparks Center.
Community Center FAQ
What is the construction timeline?
Groundbreaking for the new community center is scheduled for Saturday, January 25, 2025. College leadership and construction partner F.A. Wilhelm estimate that the project will take about 24 months to complete. Wabash men in the Class of 2027 and beyond will enjoy the new community center experience.
Construction on campus is always disruptive, but we will work to minimize noise and will take care to schedule major activities when students are not in class.
Where will students enjoy their meals during construction?
The College has opened a temporary dining and kitchen facility to serve the campus and catering needs during community center construction. With a nod to historic Mud Hollow, the temporary kitchen and dining facilities—known as “Grub Hollow”—are open and in use near the Collett Tennis Center. Wabash’s catering partner, Bon Appetit, continues to provide daily meals and catering needs for other campus and community events.
Where is the bookstore located during construction?
The Wabash College Bookstore has been relocated to the Allen Athletics and Recreation Center near Knowling Fieldhouse. The Bookstore maintains regular business hours Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and special hours on gamedays and during campus events. Wabash fans can also purchase items online at bookstore.wabash.edu. A new W. Store will be located on the main floor of the community center and will offer Wabash gear, gifts, and convenience items.
How will students use the community center and what types of Wabash events will be held there?
There will be a variety of spaces for students to study, meet, relax, and socialize. From the Living Room to a traditional Games Room, and from Wally’s Restaurant and Pub to a multi-function event space, students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and community members will find a place to gather where they feel welcome and at home. We anticipate that the community center will host signature Wabash events and activities such as reunions, board meetings, career and internship fairs, distinguished speakers, colloquia, student organization meetings, admissions events, summer camps, and more.
How will the daily dining experience be enhanced for students and the Wabash community?
With a strong belief in the classical liberal arts concept of a sound mind and a sound body, the new community center will provide an innovative approach to food preparation and presentation. There will be a variety of food options in the custom designed servery area with daily featured meals prepared in real-time for students and guests at the Chef’s Table. Menus and food preparation will be designed to accommodate dietary preferences, nutrition, and food allergies. With its tall ceilings and ample windows, guests will find different seating options to enjoy dining with small or large groups in the central dining hall. In addition, the new community center will boast exterior patios that wrap around the east, south, and west ends of the building and will be suitable for outdoor dining, meetings, and small group gatherings.
Who will eat meals in the new community center? Will fraternity members eat there?
While exact dining plans for the community center have yet to be determined, the College anticipates that a wide audience of students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, guests, and community members will be able to enjoy a meal in the central dining hall or Wally’s Restaurant and Pub. Independent men and students with meal plans will dine in the community center, while others will have the option of purchasing individual meals. Everyone will have the option to have breakfast or weekend brunch at the new community center. As of now, members of fraternities will continue to dine in their chapter houses.
How will Crawfordsville and Montgomery County use the community center in the future?
The community center will welcome local Crawfordsville and Montgomery County organizations and nonprofits to use the spaces year-round. Our hope is that organizations turn to Wabash to develop deeper partnerships with our students, faculty, staff, and programs. Through access to the center and adjacent campus spaces, Wabash will help strengthen local connections and collaborations.
We imagine hosting events such as a Nonprofit Learning Series; regular board trainings, board meetings, and fundraisers for nonprofits; community fairs and gatherings; and for special events and activities that will strengthen relationships across Montgomery County. There simply is no place in the county that can serve over 200 people with on-site catering, nearby parking, and technology.
The second-floor event space can be divided into smaller rooms to accommodate groups of all sizes. The full event space will accommodate up to 250 guests for catered meals complete with built-in technology and multimedia features. Adjacent Chadwick Court and Knowling Fieldhouse in the Allen Athletics and Recreation Center will continue to accommodate events of more than 250 people.
What is the long-term viability of the new community center?
The design, layout, infrastructure, anticipated programming, and adjacencies to central campus buildings will allow the community center to help Wabash fulfill its liberal arts mission in a residential community well into its third century.