Horizons Online Edition

In the past, Spruance House was used as a meeting place for groups and organizations on campus for lack of a better venue. It was also used for housing guests visiting Embry-Riddle from Daytona Beach. However, over the years the house has seen a lot of activity and has become severely dated.

In order for Spruance House to continue to serve this campus, major renovations are planned for the next year. The house has been gutted and is in the process of getting new drywall. The next step of the revitalization includes an update of the kitchen and reception areas. This portion is expected to be complete in March.

Other plans for the house involve converting the garage into an executive conference room, creating a new break-out conference room, remodeling the back of the house into a VIP suite and updating the veranda and garden. The VIP suite will contain two VIP bedrooms, a VIP conference room and a presidential conference room. All of the rooms in the Spruance House will get new walls, floors and windows.

The complete refurbishment of the house will depend on donations from groups and organizations on and off campus. Embry-Riddle's Business Office is overseeing the project and has received donations coming from Chartwells and Sodexo. Mike Willinger, Director of Business, believes that Spruance House "is one of the landmarks [on campus] that we ought to take care of." The project is expected to be completed within the year and Willinger is excited because "it is important [to renovate] so the house may be open to everyone; staff, faculty and students."

Article Tools