University village celebrates grand opening

The University Village Center (UVC) grand opening took place on Saturday, Aug. 14. 

The event was organized by Jamie Kratt and Pat Cone, event coordinators who have been involved with the UVC since the beginning.   The grand opening included merchant-donated gifts, a performance by the band, "After Hours" as well as a face painter, balloon twister and two bounce houses.  UCCS mascot Boomer, the women's volleyball and women and men's soccer teams were also in attendance.

Concessions at the event included samples from Chipotle Mexican Grill, Glacier Homemade Ice Cream and Gelato, Keva Juice and Costco.

Famous Footwear and Glacier Homemade Ice Cream and Gelato were the two most recent merchants to open their doors.  BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse is slated to open Monday, Aug. 30t and Aspen Kitchens and Baths will open toward the end of September .

Other events at the UVC have included an Earth Day Recycling event and most recently Panera Bread held their 2nd annual Panerathon to benefit Care & Share. 

UCCS Junior Jen Feldman, who has been an employee of Panera Bread since it opened in October, said the UVC has been convenient for students. "It is nice that I can take the shuttle to work and that there is lots to do there," Feldman said, "I would like to see more events in the future and a greater incorporation of student life." 

"Our objective is to establish UVC not only as a retail destination, but to create an environment that promotes a sense of community by hosting events as well as taking every opportunity that presents itself to promote cross-cultural exchanges between our project and the campus," Kratt said.

UVC has also established an annual art scholarship granted to the sculpture department at UCCS for the purpose of constructing art pieces on UVC grounds, said Kratt.