The renovated fifth floor of the Marvin Center has come alive since its grand reopening Sept. 25, Marvin Center officials say.

Marvin Center Governing Board Chair Mike Petron said Mike Gargano, assistant vice president for Student Academic and Support Services, made a commitment to redo the fifth floor when he took over responsibility for the building last summer. Many changes have been made recently.

Petron said the changes included the removal of some of the pool tables to allow for additional lounge areas and the replacement of the old video games with new ones.

Gargano said 30 percent more students have gone to the fifth floor since the reopening.

“I am very happy that the administration is taking a step to provide an entertainment center for students in the student union,” junior Jason Allen said.

The bowling alley remains unchanged for now. Petron said students have many new options on the fifth floor, including Monday night football, Tuesday night bowling and Thursday night billiards.

“Basically they are making a concerted effort to enhance the fifth floor,” Petron said. “It has become a lot better than what it was.” Petron said when fifth-floor renovations are complete, students should expect the atmosphere to resemble that of XandO, a popular Dupont Circle coffee house, with a touch of the atmosphere of Buffalo Billiards.

The renovation plans include removing George’s lounge, the fifth-floor classrooms and ResNet offices and using the space for the caf?-style lounge area, which will be wired for Ethernet and cable service, Petron said.

A stage will be put in the main lounge area for performances or coffee nights. A wall of televisions will give the lounge area a sports-bar atmosphere, Petron said.

The video games are going to be housed in a separate room, which will be connected to the main room.

The plans also include enclosing the bowling alley in glass walls.

In addition to all these renovations, Petron said students will have a place to purchase food.

“The new food service will sort of be like a Starbucks that serves food,” Petron said.

The plans also include a new terrace that will be located on top of the new ballroom that is part of the renovation plan.

“Hopefully the new space, after renovation, will be a much greater step forward,” Petron said. “It should be a great success.”