NIU is planning to bring the Holmes Student Center up-to-date and improve its capabilities over the next 15 years.

NIU is in talks with BLDD Architects, a firm out of Chicago that renovated the Chick Evans Field House last year, said Jeff Daurer, space administrator for Finance and Facilities and the project manager of the HSC renovations.

The plan will be broken down into phases to take place during a 15-year span so the building can remain open during renovations.

The cost of the project will also be broken down with each phase. An outside estimating firm will make a cost estimate for each phase. The firm was 4 percent under with their estimate of the fieldhouse renovations, which were completed in spring, Daurer said.

The building hasn’t been fully renovated or updated in nearly 40 years, said HSC acting Director Mitch Kielb.

“There are other things that could be renovated, even though it does look somewhat old,” said freshman undecided major Jesus Raya. “Total renovation doesn’t seem needed.”

The age of the building and amount of use prompted the renovations, Kielb said.

“What we are looking at is how people use the building now compared to 40 years ago,” Kielb said. “Basic systems like air conditioning and heating are failing and decor needs updating.”

The first phase would focus on renovating the main level, where the gallery lounge and computer lab is, to make it more functional and attractive for students to go and study, Kielb said.

There are focus groups planned for later this year involving the input of students and faculty to help come up with a plan that will meet everyone’s needs, Kielb said.

The renovations would be a good opportunity to make structural upgrades allowing more electricity to flow through the building, Daurer said.

“Our direction and decisions are driven by student and faculty needs,” Daurer said. “There have been small renovations done throughout the years, but the purpose of this master plan is to tie everything together.”

A budget for each phase of the project should be ready in the spring, Daurer said.