April 30, 2013 Update
Jennie Reithel says: "The new RMBL Community Center will replace Enders Dining Hall in 2015.  The one building design will allow RMBL to minimize the footprint of the building with less ground disturbance and allow the structure to be built in an avalanche-free zone.  A communal kitchen and meeting space have been included in the new design."

The decision to replace the Dining Hall is the result of extensive physical plant planning that identified the project as one of RMBL’s top priorities. Replacing our existing Dining Hall with a new Community Center will allow RMBL to better serve its mission of supporting field research and education. One of RMBL’s strengths is that it has created a community of scholars, where students and scientists come together to exchange ideas and learn. The existing Dining Hall has been the social center maintaining this community. It has been a place where students and scientists share ideas over meals, and in which RMBL hosts a formal seminar series. Replacing the Dining Hall with a Community Center will ensure that the exchange of ideas will continue, and help maintain RMBL’s long-term sustainability.