A major expansion and renovation of the university's Dunsmuir Lodge facility has been approved by the University of Victoria's board of governors.
The expansion will allow UVic to meet the growing demand for advanced life-long learning activities and mid-career training in the community, government and private sectors. At the same time, it will provide new opportunities for course delivery and programming for faculties and departments across the university. The project will also help to relieve the shortage of suitable space on campus for these initiatives.
The board decision was made at its Sept. 28 meeting. The university is now seeking the approval of the District of North Saanich for the project.
With municipal approval, the 24-year-old conference facility would be refurbished into a world-class, multi-use training and conference centre. The expansion would add 60 more bedrooms, two tiered classrooms, a large meeting area and enhanced recreation space, for a total addition of 4,800 square metres to the existing 6,700 sq m lodge.
The estimated capital cost of the project is $10.4 million. Financing
will come through a business loan secured by a mortgage on the property.
While the land and facility are owned by the university, Dunsmuir is operated
by an independent society, the Island Pacific Institute Foundation. No university
funds will be involved in the expansion/renovation or its subsequent operation.
District approval by January would allow the upgraded facility to be ready by late 1999 or early 2000.
"Dunsmuir Lodge has a wonderful reputation and has been a success as a conference facility over the years," says Dr. Don Rowlatt, UVic's vice president finance and operations, "but it was built in 1974, and it's now reached an age where it requires updating. That means a substantial re-investment in the physical plant to ensure Dunsmuir can compete with newer facilities. The status quo isn't an option. Without the renovation, it will become increasingly difficult for Dunsmuir to compete in the advanced training conference business."
University needs have changed dramatically in the 13 years since UVic acquired the lodge, Rowlatt says.
"More space at Dunsmuir would mean that we could respond to the demand for new types of courses and programs and meet the needs of new kinds of students. The upgraded lodge would allow us to achieve those academic goals and put Dunsmuir at the forefront of this type of facility in North America."
The new Dunsmuir proposal has benefited from the expertise of Bill Pattison, honorary professor in the faculty of business, chair of the hotel and restaurant program, and the founder and former CEO of the Delta hotel chain. Pattison, who has been involved in the development and operation of several similar facilities, says that the expanded lodge will generate enough additional revenue to repay the loan, maintain the enhanced facility, and provide financial support for other UVic academic initiatives.
The university's faculty of business and the division of continuing studies are expected to be among the more frequent users of the upgraded facility, but the proposal has attracted interest from units across the campus. Dr. Anita Molzahn of the faculty of human and social development, was among the deans consulted about the project.
"There's a lot of potential for new programs to be offered there," she says. "This past summer, the institute for dispute resolution offered a very successful program for senior administrators. With larger facilities, a greater number of people could have attended. Our program in indigenous governance, for example, could begin to use Dunsmuir for professional development sessions and workshops. There's a great deal of potential with even a little more space."
Jerry Robson, UVic's executive director of facilities management and the person responsible for guiding the project through its various stages, says that significant changes to university buildings almost always prompt questions and concerns from those in the surrounding area.
"This project is designed to preserve the character of Dunsmuir Lodge and its environment. These are essential qualities that have contributed significantly to the lodge's success in the past. We're not about to do anything to impair them," says Robson. "We're already working with our neighbours and the district to identify and deal with any issues or concerns."
The 40-hectare Dunsmuir property was donated to UVic in 1985 by the late
George Poole of Poole Construction Ltd. (PCL).