Tiger Lair opening delayed until Jan.

The Student Union will not be finished until the beginning of the spring 2011 semester, said Union Director Shirley Plakidas.

Construction on Tiger Lair stopped in May when Chartwell, the company that operates the 459 Commons, The 5 and Tiger Lair, ran short of funds. After spending $18 million on the projects, Chartwell pledged an additional $2 million this summer to complete Tiger Lair, University Auxilary Services Director Jason Tolliver told The Daily Reveille on July 8.

"One of the biggest challenges we've had is it's an existing building, and there are a lot of unknowns," Tolliver said in July.

Tolliver had announced construction would be completed by mid-October, but Plakidas said the crews need more time.

Plakidas said Union construction restarted in August, and newly renovated parts have opened, including a relocated barber shop. She said Chartwell hasn't run out of money again but can't complete the project in the time frame.

"There's always the chance it will happen faster than that," Plakidas said.

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Contact Catherine Threlkeld at cthrelkeld@lsureveille.com