UpDate - Vol. 13, No. 17, Page 8
January 20, 1994
Plans announced to expand Lewes Virden Center site

     Plans are under way for a major expansion of the University of
Delaware's Virden Conference and Continuing Education Center on the Hugh R.
Sharp Campus in Lewes.
     The new building addition, which will almost double the center's
meeting space, includes a large multipurpose meeting room, two classrooms
and outdoor patio.
     Construction on the addition is slated to begin in January, with
completion projected for June.
     As the University's continuing education programs in southern Delaware
have expanded, so has the need for additional meeting and classroom space.
The Virden Center is the hub for a large number of continuing education
activities. It is the new home of the Southern Delaware Academy of Lifelong
Learning (SDALL), a Learning in Retirement (LIR) program offering courses
for persons age 50 and older. Elderhostel, an international education
program for adults 60 and older, also is hosted at the Virden Center.
Conferences and seminars are held year-round by business, government and
education groups, and expanded University events and courses to serve
southern Delaware are scheduled for the new facility.
     The additional 4,400 square feet of conference space will increase the
Virden Center's meeting capacity to approximately 170. The center has
overnight rooms for 37-44 persons (with additional rooms available
off-campus), a full-service dining service and satellite downlink
capabilities. Located in a quiet corner of the Hugh R. Sharp Campus, the
center is a popular location for government and corporate retreats,
continuing education programs, banquets and community events.