|
By Melanie Groves
The University of Victoria is benefitting from a stimulus package to support infrastructure enhancement at Canadian post-secondary institutions. More than $455.1 million in federal and provincial funding for 29 projects at post-secondary institutions throughout British Columbia was announced April 8, 2009.
UVic will receive $42.5 million through the Government of Canada’s Knowledge Infrastructure Program to renovate six buildings averaging 40 years of age: the University Centre and the Cornett, Clearihue, Elliot, MacLaurin and Cunningham buildings.
The projects will extend the useful lives of the buildings while improving safety, increasing energy efficiency and reducing maintenance requirements.
Improvements in each structure will include building envelope improvements (e.g. windows and roofs), seismic upgrades and other safety improvements (e.g. sprinklers and fire alarms), mechanical upgrades to water and heating systems, elevator upgrades and creation of barrier-free access.
Work is expected to begin during the summer, and will be coordinated by Facilities Management staff. According to the terms of the funding, the projects must be completed by April 2011.
“This funding gives us the opportunity to bring these older buildings in line with current building code, safety and sustainability standards,” said Tom Smith, Executive Director of Facilities Management. “What this means for students, staff and faculty will vary from building to building, but we are asking in advance for people’s patience. We will try to minimize inconvenience as much as possible and keep everyone informed about what’s happening.”
Open house information sessions will take place in each building once the project schedule has been established. For current information, please visit the Communications website at or contact Facilities Management at 250–721–7616.
For more information about the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, including a list of the approved projects to date, visit Industry Canada’s Knowledge Infrastructure Program website.
|
