New Mexico State University’s Rentfrow Hall has undergone renovations, which included the addition of new dance studios, a performance space, restrooms, and labs for the kinesiology program. The renovation cost approximately $2.8 million, and was primarily funded with money from the state. This is the Department of Kinesiology and Dance’s first semester with the newly renovated building, which was originally built in 1959.

Rentfrow’s renovation has had a huge impact on the department. The Dance Program now has a performance space and studios that are appropriate for dance. According to Academic Head of the Department of Human Performance, Dance, and Recreation Dr. Robert Wood, the Kinesiology laboratories are now “state of the art.” The renovation has allowed dance to move out of the Activities Center and has given kinesiology much more lab space.

Two labs for the kinesiology program were added to the building, across from the two back dance studios. One is a Biochemistry and Molecular Exercise Physiology laboratory, while the other one is an Applied Exercise Physiology laboratory.

“This, I would say, puts us as one of the top kinesiology programs west of the Mississippi,” Dr. Wood said, who finds that the renovation’s impact on the department has been massive. Additionally, dance’s old spaces in the Activities Center have been converted into space for Kinesiology.

There is a new dance studio at the front of Rentfrow Hall, and there are two other studios in the back. The two back studios can be converted into a large performing space by taking down the wall between them. Studio spaces can be used as rehearsal spaces for students to practice their own choreographies, and these spaces are nearly always busy.

There have been upgrades to the dance program’s technology, such as a new sound and lighting system. There also used to be only two restroom stalls for the entire building, but now there are multiple restrooms, including two all-gender ones.

Dance Program Director and college instructor Ann Gavit is thrilled with the renovations. Gavit said, “I remember when, before the renovations, we had birds living in the ceiling and ceiling tiles falling off and half of our plug outlets didn’t work and we only had two bathrooms in the whole building, I mean two stalls in the whole building for all of our dancers and our audience when they would come to watch us dance. So it’s a beautiful upgrade.”

According to a presentation given to the Board of Regents on March 9, 2015, the purpose of the project would be to renovate the facility to current code and standards, add about 7,100 feet of square footage, and join kinesiology and dance into one building. The project would include: updating electrical and plumbing systems, removing asbestos containing materials, updating the fire alarm system, improving entrances and restrooms, repairing the roof, and improving the exterior of the building.

Hannah Nichols, a Contemporary Dance major, says “it’s an awesome space, compared to what it was my freshman year. It’s like day and night difference, so that’s really cool. It gives us way bigger studios and better studios to practice in.” She continues, “In terms of what we do have, I’m just grateful compared to like, what we came from.”