POTSDAM -- Clarkson officials say work going on at the Cheel Campus Center and Arena is continuing because the facilities are a regional emergency shelter that is used to assist power crews and other community members in need of assistance.

"In compliance with the Governor’s New York on Pause Executive order, all Clarkson buildings are closed to all visitors and authorized personnel are permitted on campus to maintain essential operations to sustain remote learning, property maintenance and security," Vice President of Marketing and External Relations Kelly Chezeum said in an email to North Country This Week.

"Some construction work on the Cheel Campus Center and Arena renovations continues because it is a regional emergency shelter that is used to feed and congregate National Grid power crews and other community members that may need assistance. We need all of Cheel’s emergency and infrastructure systems to be online as these emergencies can occur throughout the year. All members of the Clarkson community who are on campus for essential operations are following social distancing protocols as part of their daily routines," she said. "Like everyone in our community, we look forward to the post COVID-19 activities that advance sustainable economic development and the quality-of-life that we enjoy in the North Country."