As students arrive at LMU this week, they will be seeing some big changes taking shape across the Westchester campus. A reimagined Lair, the Burns Recreation Center Pool, the first bank of escalators in University Hall, and accessibility enhancements at Sacred Heart Chapel are among the improvements coming online in the weeks ahead – bringing new and improved places to eat, gather, recharge, and move around campus.
The Lair
The biggest transformation is underway at The Lair, which is being revamped into a brighter, more modern and more flexible space. When it opens in October, students can expect new food stations, the All-You-Care-to-Eat Dining model, refreshed interiors shaped by student feedback, an expanded outdoor patio along Palm Walk, new skylights that bring in more natural light, and a redesigned entrance.
While the renovated space is being prepared for reopening, dining services will continue uninterrupted in Roski Dining Hall in University Hall starting Wednesday, Aug. 26. An ADA-accessible complimentary shuttle service will run between Palm North and University Hall, providing convenient access for those on the east side of campus near the first-year residential area.
Burns Recreation Center Pool
The LMU community will also see a refreshed Burns Recreation Center Pool this fall, with improvements including replastering, a new deck, tile, lighting, and handrails – all designed to support years of continued student and community use. The pool, which originally opened in 2000, is scheduled to reopen Friday, Sept. 11.
University Hall Escalators
In University Hall, the long-anticipated escalator replacement project is reaching an exciting milestone: the first pairs of new escalators are expected to open for use in September, with additional pairs following in phases.
Parking
In September, LMU is launching Just Another Parking App (JAPA), a new mobile app designed to help students, faculty, staff, and visitors quickly identify available parking spaces across campus. The app provides real-time parking availability information, reducing the time spent searching for a spot and helping improve traffic flow throughout campus.
Sacred Heart Chapel
Sacred Heart Chapel has received key accessibility improvements, including a new ramp near the altar area and a lift providing basement access. Enhancements to the chapel’s exterior gathering area and stairways are expected to be completed in September, making the historic space more accessible to the LMU community.
LMU Bluff Letters – Returning Fall 2026, Ahead of Schedule
Another familiar campus landmark will return this fall, well ahead of the university’s anticipated timeline, restoring a landmark that has been part of LMU’s Westchester campus for generations. The LMU letters overlooking the bluff were removed in 2024 as part of a larger project to stabilize the hillside following significant erosion and storm damage.
LMU Bookstore Hello Kitty x LMU Collection
The LMU Bookstore expanded its popular Hello Kitty collection with two new styles for the 2026–27 academic year. The growing assortment reflects LMU’s continued focus on creating fresh, relevant merchandise that connects with students and fans.
Classroom and Technology Upgrades
Over the summer, classrooms and event spaces received new audio/visual technology, and five computer labs were equipped with new computers. Students also gained access to digital learning tools including Microsoft Copilot, LMU’s AI chat solution with enterprise data protection, and LinkedIn Learning, offering thousands of expert-led courses for academic and career development.
Additional Summer Projects
Other summer projects focused on the behind-the-scenes work that keeps campus buildings and spaces safe, secure, and operating as they should, including:
- Infrastructure improvements at the LMU Children’s Center
- Campus storm drainage upgrades to better manage rainfall and protect against water damage
- New roofs at Gersten Pavilion and Hannon Apartments
Looking Ahead: Building a Better LMU
A new resource makes it easier to keep track of what’s changing across campus. Visit Building a Better LMU for the latest campus improvement project updates, timelines, and information about what’s happening and what’s ahead.