During Phase I, the original sign was taken down, the marquee removed, and the front entrance was demoed. Phase II included restoration of the front entrance, installation of a new roof, reinforcement of exterior walls, removal of interior walls, and work on mechanical systems.

Phase III is currently underway and includes restoration of the lobby, restrooms, electrical infrastructure, and stage area. A fourth and final phase is also in development, which will include seating, A/V systems, and the application of finishing touches, thereby preparing the Ritz Theater to warmly receive the community.

As part of the project, several new amenities were added to the Club, including a 5,000 SF Covered Patio, Kids Club, Ladies Lounge and Grille, Ladies Lockers, Ladies Card Room, Mixed Grille, Men’s Grille, Private Dining Room, Smoothie Bar, Fitness Center, and Yoga Studio.

The project was completed while the Club remained open, which posed a challenge as the construction site was close to an active golf course. The services and amenities CCLR offers its members are a valuable membership component. Therefore, we ensured all club amenities and main entrances remained open during construction. During the Summer, the Club’s swimming pool was open daily from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – our teams worked around the pool with no issues. In addition, the Owner held a weekly, high-level company meeting in a conference room right off the renovation. To avoid disturbing the meeting, we shut down all loud operations during this time and adjusted our work based on this or any other requests the Owner made.

We installed 700’+ of new sewer lines through the fairway adjacent to the Club. All golfing remained open during this time, and we kept the club sewer open throughout. We also completed a ground-to-ceiling renovation in the basement, with the clubhouse above occupied. This work required careful coordination to avoid significant disruptions to power or HVAC, as the power, water, and HVAC are all on a single service.

We also demolished and re-piped 150’+ sanitary sewer lines located 8′ underneath the building. This work was performed while keeping the Club’s full-service kitchen and all restrooms open. In addition, two separate grease traps were installed without closing the kitchen.

Also included in the UA Windgate Studio and Design Center are art studios, research studios, classrooms, seminar and critique spaces, offices, shared spaces, exhibition spaces, and maker spaces. The project involved complete new site development, including an outdoor courtyard and amphitheater with outdoor seating.

The UA Windgate Studio and Design Center is a milestone achievement for art education and the Arkansas community and contributes to the ongoing development of the surrounding South Fayetteville neighborhood.

The beautiful, new facility replaces an 85-year-old, retrofitted gymnasium that previously housed ASU’s art programs. The new center is helping to transform the lives of ASU students and open up new possibilities for students in terms of their creativity and dedication to craft.

The facility was designed, constructed, and brought online during the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the most challenging periods in the history of American higher education.

“We could not be more excited about this team,” said museum chair, Mary Gay Shipley.  “This is not just any group.  These are highly touted professionals who are already engaged and captivated by our concept—absolute top-of-the-line pros.  We have every reason to believe these people will bring the dream to a beautiful and meaningful reality for our entire country.”

The National Cold War Museum is planned for construction on the former Eaker Air Force Base in Blytheville.  Once known as Blytheville Air Force Base, the facility was a Strategic Air Command base throughout the Cold War.  Its “alert shack,” the compound that housed air crews while they awaited a call to nuclear warfare, is one of the only intact such facilities in the nation and will be a central exhibit of the museum.  “Perhaps a Cold War museum could be built anywhere,” said Shipley. “But here in Blytheville, when you visit the museum, you will be standing on a very real piece of Cold War history”.