After dealing with early setbacks in construction, Student Union officials said they expect the Union theater and Tiger Lair food court to resume operations in the fall.The Live Oak Lounge opened in July 2009, and a poll was conducted online in September to let students name the new space.Memorial Oak Grove, the outdoor seating area outside the Lounge, also officially opened in fall 2009 after being used to contain construction vehicles during the Lounge’s renovation.At the end of the fall 2009 semester, workers began construction on the Tiger Lair food court and the surrounding seating areas and continued work on the Union Theater.Shirley Plakidas, Union director, said construction has gone as planned this semester without any significant setbacks, and she expects both the theater and food court to open in August.The theater is being completely redone, so it’s the most expensive part of the renovation, Plakidas said. It’s receiving a new interior, dressing rooms and lighting systems. The lobby is also being expanded, she said.The most expensive renovations are the acoustical treatments — materials added to walls and ceilings that insulate the theater and allow the entire audience to hear everything, Plakidas said.Plakidas said the theater will probably still need some behind-the-scenes electrical work in the fall, but the space will be open for events.Ken Bueche, associate director for Union operations, said the theater saw some delays in construction early on but has gotten back on track to be ready for August.”It’s probably about 30 days behind the original schedule, which really isn’t bad for a construction job,” Bueche said.The newly-renovated food court will offer many of its original vendors like Chick-Fil-A and Louisiana Classics, as well as some new chains like Panda Express and Quiznos. The dining area will receive new tables and chairs similar to those in The 5. High-top bar seating will also be available.The entire project will cost about $83.7 million, Plakidas said.Union officials opened a “Mini-Lair” in March to give students more dining options during construction. The Mini-Lair offers prepared foods like sandwiches, wraps, chips, salads, sushi and Papa John’s pizza. Jason Tolliver, director of Auxiliary Services, said the department will open three new retail outlets in the fall as well.The three spaces being constructed on the first floor of the Union are a renovated barbershop, an optical shop and a test preparation center, Tolliver said.The optical shop, leased to the company Optical Express, will offer a licensed optometrist on staff, Tolliver said.The test preparation center will offer students preparation for exams like the MCAT, LSAT and others. Tolliver said he’s unsure if the services will be tailored to the University.The newly-renovated spaces will cost about $325,000, Tolliver said in an e-mail to The Daily Reveille.Plakidas said the Campus Federal office will move to the Acadian Room on the Union’s third floor while its space is being renovated.”We will probably have whatever will be going into the post office space by the end of the fall,” Plakidas said. She also said officials expect permanent furniture for the second floor lobby to be delivered by November.Plakidas said the Union has seen a significant decline in revenue because of early construction delays, but Tolliver said he believes the Union will rebound in the fall.He said new spaces will attract customers and drive revenue up, but the University will also receive money from companies paying money to rent the spaces.Tolliver said he believes students will be impressed with the Union’s new look.”It’s an exciting time to be here right now,” he said.—-Contact Rachel Warren at [email protected]