A new semester begins at Park University and as a student enters campus, the first thing they see is scaffolding towering above MacKay Hall.

Repairs are currently being made atop this building and it has been grabbing the attention of many students and staff within the last few weeks.

On Monday, April 10, 2023, a lightning strike hit the top of MacKay Hall, requiring repairs that are now in motion. “When the lightning hit that very top finial, it made a very big concussion and it actually blew out the bottom portion of the finial and damaged it really badly,” said Kevin Martineau, associate vice president of facilities and operations for Park. “Along with that, there were several tile in that top steeple area that were loosened.”

In addition to finial repairs, insurance is covering the replacement of both the steeple and roofing tiles. “The roof was in good condition before, but because of the work, it has to be replaced so that they can make sure it all matches,” said Martineau.

So far, the only impact this construction will bring upon students and staff is just the ongoing noises of repairs being made on the building, which can be heard from the inside but mostly outside of the building. “There will be a little bit of restriction around the building, but it won’t prevent people from going into the building using any of the doors,” said Martineau. Classes and other activities done within MacKay can continue as usual.

The conclusion of these repairs will soon be in reach. Martineau said, “It’s scheduled to be completed by the end of September.” It may even be done within early October.

Along with the scaffolding getting removed from the building, the radio tower will be powered on again as well as the clock tower chimes. The radio tower has never been damaged by the lightning strike, but it had to be turned off to prevent workers getting sick from the emitting frequencies up there according to Martineau. He also said, “As soon as they are finished working, it will be turned back on.”