JANESVILLE — Despite adding a new library, a 110-seat lecture hall and additional classroom and office space, Allen Hall’s entrance could wind up affecting the University of Wisconsin-Rock County campus the most.

The new building connects Hyatt Smith and Andrews halls, and boasts a red UW logo. Officials say the area already has become a focal point for the campus.

“We’ve never had a central entrance where everyone could come before,” said Carrie Hermanson, the college’s director of university relations.

Crews broke ground for the facility in March 2007. Allen Hall is the first stage of a three-part, $10 million project to revamp several of the university’s facilities. Work is under way to renovate Andrews Hall, including the former campus library, into classroom and office space. UW-Rock County officials expect that portion of the project to be done by early summer; crews then will renovate Hyatt Smith Hall.

Assistant Dean Michael Pierick said delays in utility work and an unusually snowy winter put the project about three months behind schedule. Campus officials hoped Allen Hall could host classes during the spring semester; instead, the first classes will be held there this summer.

“We made the decision to not schedule classes this semester because we thought we might be late moving in,” Pierick said.

Pierick said the project should be finished by March 2009.

Allen Hall is named for former Milton resident Marion Allen, who died in 2006. Allen was integral to the construction of Milton’s senior center, The Gathering Place, and was active in many other community organizations. Her grandson, David Casarotto of Utah, attended a recent open house.

The building houses the university’s new library (see related story), four distance-education classrooms, several new offices and conference rooms and a lecture hall.

The library, said nursing student Natalie Butler of Beloit, is a big improvement over its predecessor.

“The sound in the old library echoed and people complained, but now there are so many quiet study areas,” she said.

The distance-education classrooms are connected to a central control room and allow students to take online classes or watch streaming video of a lecture taking place on another campus.

Hermanson is excited about what the lecture hall’s high-tech projection equipment can provide, not just for students, but for all Rock County residents.

“We have a space now for bringing the community in,” she said. “It’s exceeded expectations.”

Forward Janesville President John Beckord believes the new facility will have a big impact on the two-year college.

“It represents the most significant enhancement and improvement to the campus in many, many years,” he said. “I think this is a strong signal that this university is really headed in the right direction.”

Beckord and UW-Rock County Dean Diane Pillard noted the teamwork required to embark on such a project. The UW-Rock County Foundation raised more than $1 million for the library, and the Rock County Board had to approve the construction.

“It is a … prime example of what can be accomplished when university, county and state representatives work together for the welfare of local residents,” Pillard said. “We are extremely fortunate to be located in a county that values education.”

The building’s large atrium, comfortable seating areas and expanded library appeal to some students.

“It’s really nice,” said first-year student Tasya Rand, of Janesville. “There’s tons of room to do your own studying.”

Hermanson believes the new facilities provide students a place to unwind on campus, which she said was important for commuter students who don’t have time to travel home between classes.

“Physically, it’s making a huge difference,” she said. “But I think socially we’re going to see a big impact, as well.”