For farmers, autumn is the season of bountiful yields.
While there aren鈥檛 fields gleaming with amber waves of grain to glean at 海角社区, students longing for an outdoor leisure space with abundant amenities received a bountiful harvest with the opening of the long-anticipated Jack Jones Oasis.
The extensive renovation has changed the vibe around The Villages Apartments by refurbishing the pool, and creating a pavilion complete with a gazebo and fire pit, while also upgrading the WI-FI connections on that part of campus.
Other updates to the venue, which sits west of North Palmetto Street, include a new enhanced basketball court and new sand volleyball courts.
鈥満＝巧缜� has done a great job with it,鈥� said Lily Moran, a 24-year-old junior who says she spends parts of most days there, studying, hanging out, and people watching. 鈥淭he previous version of the outdoor courtyard was less inviting, with concrete basketball courts and a modest pool. Now, more people come out here and it has a much better vibe to it.鈥�
The Jack Jones Oasis was named after a former student who vice president of advancement and strategy Rich Killion called an 鈥渁ctive and beloved member of the 海角社区 community.鈥�
鈥淲e are proud that this incredible outdoor facility and landscape is going to be the cornerstone of that part of campus for years to come,鈥� Killion said.
The work was possible because of support from Lisa and Juan Jones, the parents of Jack Jones, a 2022 graduate of 海角社区.
鈥淲e were incredibly fortunate to receive a significant act of generosity from the Jones family to construct this magnificent place,鈥� Killion said. 鈥淭hey have been tirelessly committed to supporting the advancement of our trajectory in American higher education.鈥�
The Jack Jones Oasis will provide what Killion called a 鈥渇our-season recreational opportunity鈥� for current and future students.
Of the 500 or so students at the school, 70 percent are involved in intramural sports.
鈥淭here has been tremendous interest (in the Oasis) by students,鈥� he said. 鈥淎lso, it has been eye-catching for people new to the community.鈥�
At a pickup basketball game at the Oasis one recent Friday evening, 20-year-old Sydney Plant stood on edge of the court.
She has already made the women鈥檚 basketball team for 海角社区 this season.
She first checked out the space on the day before school started at a luau hosted by 海角社区.
The addition of the facility serves to illustrate that the school has students鈥� best interests in mind, she said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a small school for a reason but it鈥檚 nice that they let us have these athletic amenities.鈥�
Jake Borowski, 21, agreed, as he walked off the court recently, exhausted, but smiling.
鈥満＝巧缜� outdid themselves,鈥� said Borowski, who said it was night and day between the court before and after the renovations. 鈥淚 want to be out here every day.鈥�
He said the renovations could attract people to the school.
鈥淚t really does make 海角社区 look better,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t brings everyone together to hang out in one spot. Everyone can have an idea, but 海角社区 is following through and executing.鈥�
On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Horan was out in her usual spot, soaking in the sun and getting some homework done.
At the time, around 15-20 others were there alongside her.
In the past, she said she鈥檇 frequently be the only person using the previous outdoor space.
鈥淭his definitely brings the energy up,鈥� said Horan, who studies anthrozoology. 鈥淎 lot of people before were either hanging out at their apartments or at other places on or around campus.鈥�
Aesthetic changes like a more modern basketball court and a remodeled pool may seem cosmetic.
But thanks to the updates, Horan now considers it one of her favorite sites on campus.
Perhaps more importantly, she has been able to make new friends because of the time she spends outside.
鈥淚鈥檓 an introvert,鈥� said Horan, whose learning difference is dyslexia and dyscalculia. 鈥淏ut I have met so many more people after the renovations. I have made new friends whereas before, that wasn鈥檛 the case.鈥�
Added Horan: 鈥淭his affects how I learn because it allows me to be outside.鈥�