In an email sent to members of the Villanova community midday Monday, University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D announced that over the summer break, Villanova will be undertaking a major renovation of the Connelly Center, including the addition of a Wawa, fully stocked with its full food, beverage and convenience options.
“Thanks to a generous $10 million gift from the Connelly Foundation, we are embarking on a renovation of the Connelly Center, a cornerstone of campus life for the past 45 years,” Father Peter wrote. “The project, scheduled to begin this summer, will modernize the space while maintaining its distinctive character.”
The $10 million gift by the Connelly Foundation brings their total Villanova contribution up to over $44 million dollars, including the original funding of the Connelly Center back in 1980, with every penny of this particular gift going towards this massive renovation.
The renovation in itself, continues to move towards the goals of Villanova’s strategic plan, ‘Rooted. Restless.’, first announced several years ago. The plan, designed to enhance ‘the Villanova experience for the entire campus community and creating spaces that foster community and collaboration’, is scheduled to be fully complete by the end of the decade.
The email also touched upon the plan for the Connelly Center to be used as an ‘essential student hub’ for those travelling between Villanova’s main campus and Cabrini Campus, planned to open in Fall 2026.
“The improvements to dining, study and lounge options,” Father Peter wrote, “will ensure the building is equipped to best serve Villanova students today and in the future.”
Students should not expect much of any exterior changes to the Connelly Center, with the renovations focused on the interior, per Villanova’s webpage regarding the refurbishments.
“The Connelly Center has been central to Villanova’s student experience and campus life [for] 45 years,” the university’s website reads. “The interior renovation of the 67,000 square-foot building will modernize the facility while maintaining the distinctive character of this campus landmark. Villanova worked with architects Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates and the project is scheduled to be complete by Fall 2025.”
The email included details about the upcoming renovation, such as the replacement and addition of seating in the building, including a ‘Commons’ on the ground floor, named in honor of Emily C. Riley, a former Board of Trustees member at Villanova and Executive Vice President emerita of the Connelly Foundation. This renovation will also see the reopening of the Villanova Room, which has been in a state of flux over the past few months, but post-completion, Father Peter wrote that it will be both modernized and upgraded, while serving as the University’s ‘central event space.’
The dining updates, outside of the Wawa addition, include ‘a sushi counter and Nova Noodle Co., which will offer bowls featuring ramen, pho and global noodle favorites,’ per the Villanova website, among other updates. It will also include a full redesign of the Belle Aire Terrace to increase seating availability, improve accessibility for all members of the community and the construction.
Despite these major changes, Father Peter wrote in the announcement that construction could be complete by the beginning of next semester.
“To keep the Connelly Center operational and minimize disruption during the academic year, construction will begin immediately after Commencement weekend and is scheduled to be completed by Fall 2025,” Father Peter said. “I look forward to sharing updates as the project progresses, and I am excited to bring the vision for the Connelly Center to life.”
