By On May 15, construction began to improve the St. Thomas Aquinas Commons dining hall. Fast forward to Aug. 20, and the new and improved dining hall was finished.
“The renovations are good. It looks good with more room and more stations,” said Tammy Compton, a pizza and pasta chef for the STAC. However, Compton still misses her big oven and wishes her station wasn’t so cramped.
The renovation includes new seating, equipment, flooring, tile, cabinets, and a new glass storefront entrance.
It also included new serving stations.
The improved STAC allows students to eat and do homework or just visit with friends.
The STAC’s upgrade was influenced by the student input.
One of the top requests was to offer more food options.
There is now a vegan, vegetarian, plant-based, and dairy-restricted menu.
Carroll partnered with Dick Anderson Construction to turn the STAC renovation plans into a reality.
Dick Anderson is a major construction company based in Helena, Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, and Missoula. They even have locations in Oregon and Wyoming.
The STAC workers appreciate the improvements.
Tammy Compton has worked at the STAC for 12 years. Whenever students see her, she is either cooking some incredible pizza/pasta or working her tail off another way.
Compton always steps in to help out anywhere she can.
“The new STAC is better for the students,” said Compton.
