Whitworth Trustee, Gary Hopkins and his family are funding a fire pit to be built outside the HUB.

Gerry Gemmill, vice president for finance and administration, said the fire pit will be, “a gathering place where the students, if they want to have a little heat, will sit outside in a pretty place, and talk about whatever they choose to.”

It is estimated to be completed by the end of April, Gemmill said.

“The fire pit was shelf ready. We had the concepts done,” Gemmill said.

Now, with the funding provided by the Hopkins family, the pit has become a reality.

As of April 9 the pad has been poured, the gas is hooked up, and the masons are being installed. The next step is to put together the screen and fire apparatus, Gemmill said.

“It’s coming together like a little orchestra or little play,” Gemmill said.

A timer has been included into the design that will cause the fire to turn off after a certain amount of time so the fire isn’t left on while no one is using it.

The fire pit will be made of concrete and brick the same color as the HUB.

“We want to make sure it looks like it belongs there,” Gemmill said.

Total construction cost with taxes is $54,921.

“It will be a great thing for students now to students years from now,” Gemmill said.

Contact Hayley O’Brien at [email protected]