The future hours The Gardens will be available to students will largely depend upon what types of programming the university is able to find for the venue.
UW Administrators announced their decision to keep The Gardens open last week. Their decision came amid petitions and protests from students and legislation from faculty senate and ASUW.
However, some changes to the facility are planned. The lunch service will be removed.
“The lunch piece never supported itself,” Director of Resident Life and Dining Services Eric Webb said. “It was always pulling The Gardens down.”
Webb said the lunch service was the largest financial drain on The Gardens. While removing the service may help The Gardens financially, Webb said programming would be key to making sure that the Gardens are successful.
“Our hope is that The Gardens is open with additional programming and planning,” Webb said. “We’re going to put together a plan of events that will likely run Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.”
Studio WYO, a Thursday night musical function put on by ASTEC, draws a large enough crowd to ensure Thursday nights will remain open in full bar capacity, but lackluster attendance on Wednesday and Friday nights means the Union will need to find alternate programming to fill the gap.
The bar side of the Gardens currently employs six bartenders, but next semester its employment will be cut in half, while the lunch side employees will not return. Amanda Demello, a senior kinesiology student and bartender, said she is not concerned about the reduction in employment as three of the bartenders this semester are graduating.
“The people who work the bar will have first pick when The Gardens reopen,” Demello said.
Additionally, The Gardens will be open for special events and occasions.
