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Virginia Military Institute officially opened the new cadet activity center located on the ground floor of Crozet Hall last Wednesday.
The center has been dubbed “The Arsenal,” through a vote by the corps of cadets, and is for their use to relax, socialize, and enjoy televised events. They chose the name as a nod to VMI’s history. The Virginia State Arsenal in Lexington was established in 1818, then converted into the Institute in November 1839, with the goal of educating the young men who manned the arsenal. For more than a decade, students were housed in the old arsenal barracks.
Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, superintendent; Col. Adrian T. Bogart, III ’81, commandant; Garrett Petruskie ’23, captain of the S7 staff; Blake Smith ’23, regimental commander; and Cameron Cavanaugh ’23, 1st Class president, made the ceremonial ribbon cut together at last week’s event.
Wins pointed out the importance of a facility. “Cadets need and want a place to spend some time together to talk, relax, and take in some entertainment. I think this is a great space, and it’s going to be fully utilized by the corps. We also know that it only has a capacity for 85. There’s a good reason for that,” he quipped humorously, referring to 1985, the year he graduated from VMI.
According to Command Sgt. Maj. Suzanne D. Rubenstein, director of activities, there has not been a cadetonly relaxation space on post since the old Lejeune Hall was razed to build Third Barracks in 2007.
“The previous space was a TV room with no amenities, other than seats and a rear projection screen TV,” she said. “The Arsenal has a billiards table, two large screen TVs with gaming, cable, and internet hook-ups. There are sectional sofas, and café tables and chairs. A bar and grill, run by Parkhurst Dining, VMI’s food services vendor, offers sodas, sports drinks, and specialty food items.”
She also expressed gratitude for gaming accessories and other items gifted by parents and anonymous donors.
Lee Clark ’93, director of auxiliary services, reported that planning for the center began in earnest in 2021. “Class officers, the Institute planner, auxiliary services, physical plant, facilities management, and the commandant’s staff were all involved.”
Petruskie stated that the S7 staff, which is in charge of morale welfare and recreation, is tasked with manning the space. S7 is one of the seven areas of responsibilities for select cadets. Other cadet staff areas include academics, operations, recruiting and public affairs and athletics.
“The Arsenal will go a long way in raising morale. Cadets work very hard academically and physically. There is a lot demanded of them, and this center will be a real ‘shot in the arm’ in raising spirits,” he said.
The first official event for the space was this past Sunday for a Super Bowl party. Hours of operation are 6:45 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The space may become available for other post events.
