Ian Benson
Editor-in-Chief
Despite purchasing the building with the purpose of converting it into a space that could be used by the College, the building which formerly housed The Shack will be demolished sometime this summer. This decision comes after the City of Wooster declared the building “unfit for human habitation” and the College decided against repairing the structure. The cost of doing so would be several times the building’s current worth.
Damage was done to the building in January when bursting pipes on the second floor led to portions of the ceiling caving, the floor buckling and inches of standing water in the basement. It was more than a week before the problem was discovered. The Voice previously reported on the damage in February, at which time it was unclear whether the building would need to be demolished.
A number of uses were first discussed when the building was in the early stages of being purchased, though no plans were finalized. In a meeting between President Cornwell and students last semester, various ideas were suggested ranging from a second Mom’s to a student-run space for music performances. The building, which featured two apartments in addition to the restaurant space, was also considered for housing students or visiting faculty.
“The possibility of operating The Shack as a student performance venue had sparked a lot of conversation,” said Dean of Students Kurt Holmes. “In fact, a group of students met with me at the end of last semester to kick around some ideas. They were great, and my hope is that in light of losing The Shack as an option we might continue those conversations focused on other spaces around campus.”
The College agreed to purchase the building nearly two years ago. The purchase was held up by legal matters between the original owners and its current tenants who operated the restaurant. The matter was finally resolved and the tenants moved out in November of 2013. The building had been vacant since, with the College finally taking possession in March.
“The Shack had been a place of many memories for generations of Wooster alumni,” said President Grant Cornwell. “We were disappointed to learn of the extensive damage.”
Current plans for the site of the building are to turn it into a green space, with a plaque to commemorate the restaurant’s location. Rumors abounded that the College planned to demolish the structure to make room for a parking lot when they first began purchasing the space. These rumors have resurfaced with the recent announcement that the building will be demolished, but administrators hold that they are untrue.