The Hope College Board of Trustees has authorized the construction of an addition to the Cook student residence hall located on 10th street between College and Columbia avenues.

Record enrollments in recent years and a growing desire by students to live in college-owned residences led to the college's decision to undertake the project on a campus that is already a beehive of construction activity.

Hope had a record enrollment of 3,112 students for the 2004-05 school year and college officials are anticipating another banner year in 2005-06. Approximately 80 percent of the college's students live in Hope-owned housing.

The planned addition to the northeast wing was part of the original design for the building when it was constructed in the mid-1990s. It was deleted from the project at that time for financial reasons. Adjoining the college's Haworth Inn and Conference Center, the Cook Hall has 100 rooms to serve 184 students.

The addition, estimated to cost $2.5 million, will provide housing for an additional 66 students.

Cook Hall rooms are in a "suite" design with a full bathroom joining two bedrooms. The building has lounges, an exercise room, computer lab, and laundry facilities. It is easily accessible to college dining services at the Haworth Center.

Air-conditioned, Cook Hall is frequently used to host summer conference guests. Cook Hall, which opened for the 1997-98 school year, is named in honor of Peter and Emajean (Pat) Cook in recognition of their long-time support of Hope. Mr. Cook was a member of the college's Board of Trustees from 1977 until 1989.

Pending the approval of permits by the City of Holland, construction is expected to begin later this summer with completion scheduled in time for the start of the 2006-07 school year.