Stetson Women’s Soccer players Katie Christenson and Florencia Baldassini were first in line at the deli counter Wednesday as Stetson Dining began serving meals in the new Commons Dining Hall.

“We love it. We walked in and we thought this is amazing,” said Christenson, a junior midfielder.

Fellow teammate Ellie Hackett was busy selecting vegetables from the salad bar.

“It’s amazing. It’s stunning. It’s gorgeous. We’re spoiled,” she said with a smile.

Under construction for two years in the Carlton Union Building, the expanded Commons came to life Wednesday as Stetson athletes begin arriving this week for training. Residence halls will open Aug. 18 for new students and classes begin Aug. 23 for Fall Semester 2018.

“Starting (Thursday), we have our football team in here. They will be here for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a late-night snack,” said Barbara Stolz, senior director of Stetson Dining Services. “We’re gearing up for a full schedule, and at the same time training on the new equipment.”

Stolz asked students, faculty and staff to be patient as the staff ramps up in coming days to open all nine cooking stations in the Commons, including a stone-hearth pizza oven, a Mongolian grill and a G8 station that avoids gluten and eight top allergens, including nuts, shellfish, diary, soy and eggs.

During its first meal Wednesday, the deli station was open, as well as the bakery, salad bar and homestyle station with grilled chicken, asparagus, ratatouille and a pesto tortellini. All the others will be in operation when students arrive Aug. 18, she said.

The new Commons is part of a major renovation and expansion of the CUB. A new North Wing provides offices for student organizations, such as the Student Government Association, meeting rooms for students and a new studio for the student’s WHAT online radio station.

Construction crews also are renovating the CUB’s South Wing. When completed in early January, it will feature an expanded Coffee Shop, new Faculty Lounge and offices for Campus Life and Student Success.

In the interim, the Coffee Shop Kiosk is relocating temporarily to the Rinker Welcome Center for fall semester. No date has yet been announced for the opening, but it will be open for new students on Aug. 18, as will Einstein Bros. Bagels and Johnny Rockets in the Hat Rack, said Taylor Gabriele-Goodwin, coordinator of Marketing and Finance for Stetson Dining.

Students, like soccer players Christenson and Baldassini, say they’ve seen the Commons undergo a transformation during their two years at Stetson.

“Our freshman year, it was way different,” Christenson said. “Sophomore year was different and now there’s this.”

“We’re very excited,” added Baldassini.