By Tyler Worthington

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University of Kentucky faculty and students celebrated the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly installed Common Grounds on Tuesday in the roadside entrance to the Champions Court residence halls on the corner of Avenue of Champions and Martin Luther King Boulevard.

The doors only opened briefly, as the new Common Grounds is scheduled to officially open on Sept. 15.

The construction of the new Common grounds facility is another result of the UK and Aramark partnership wherein Aramark will fund nearly $70 million in new and renovated facilities for dining services across campus.

Those in attendance were offered free samples of freshly brewed coffee as well as pastries, t-shirts and a chance to spin a wheel to win a variety of free Common Grounds products.

Attendees were also given the chance to introduce themselves to members of the UK Dining operations, Common Ground president Lori McCreary and UK Student Government President Jake Ingram after opening remarks.

UK associate provost for undergraduate education Benjamin C. Withers also spoke and participated in the ceremonial ribbon-cutting.

The speakers expressed excitement for the cross-cultural and progress opportunities the project will bring to Common Grounds and the university.

Viewers also got the chance to learn about some innovations built into the walls of Common Grounds itself, like panels designed to act as whiteboards to allow students more space to work on individual or group projects.

Ingram said adding a Common Grounds to campus had been pitched to the advisory committee two years ago after looking at the success of the Common Grounds located on High Street.

After the findings of a student interest survey were presented in 2013, the partnership was approved.

“This is an exciting time to be on campus,” Ingram said.