Yakima Valley College celebrates grand reopening of Hopf Union Building

YAKIMA, Wash. — The Hopf Union Building is the center of student life at Yakima Valley College and has remained the same for decades, but students are now celebrating a big change.

“Students on the main campus still would come in here and be in chairs and tables from 1990-something; they just kind of felt like maybe they weren't as valued as some students on other campuses," said Laura Yolo, former YVC Student Life Manager.

But Yolo said after five years of work on her part and thanks to $650,000 from the student government’s project reserves fund, students now have an updated HUB.

“We are celebrating the first time in 20-plus years that we've had new furnishings," Yolo said. "All our furniture except for the booth seating in the dining room is modular. Students can sit around, sit wherever they want.”

Yolo said there's also portable chargers across the hub, updated technology and a brand-new recreational space.

“I think that this is a lot more attractive for new students for high school students that come and tour," Yolo said.

Current YVC Student Life Manager Karla Rabadan said the changes have also created a better space for the students who are already enrolled, one where they can feel comfortable.

"To have the space where they can come and hang out, study and do all kinds of fun activities ... it's important because students need to build a community to be able to succeed," Rabadan said.

Xander Sanchez, a student in YVC's Running Start program, said he spends more time in the HUB with his friends since it was updated: playing pool, arcade games and ping pong.

"This is a boost to student morale ...  to not just think of college as just some doom and gloom, you know, go to your classes and get the work done, but you can have a little fun while you're at it," Sanchez said.

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