Building boom

Artist's rendition of the new academic building on Coburg Road, set to open this fall

Take a quick stroll around Dalhousie’s campus and you’d be hard-pressed not to run smack into a major building project on the go. On the corner of LeMarchant Street and Coburg Road, you’ll find the $33-million academic building under construction. Further along, work continues on the $60-million Life Science Research Institute (LSRI) at the corner of College and Summer Streets.

But those two high profile projects are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of new building projects, says Jeff Lamb, assistant vice president, Facilities Management.

Some of the new projects include:

• $800,000 renovations to the Grad House, set to open imminently
• $6.5 million renovation to the Tupper Link to equip two theatres with technology to provide distance education to Dalhousie Medical School’s New Brunswick campus, opening in September
• $27 million retrofit of the Life Sciences Centre
• Renovations to the Henry Hicks Building to accommodate Student Services and Research Services
• $6 million Shirreff Hall retrofit including electrical upgrades and renovations to washrooms; begins this summer

Proposed projects include:

• Interprofessional health building
  - New classroom and administration to amalgamate departments within the Faculty of Health Professions
  - Situated on old Grace site on Summer Street
• New entrance for the Weldon Law Building
• Proposed renovations to the Dalhousie Arts Centre
  - Includes an addition on the Seymour Street side of the building for a new performing arts space and to bring the costume studies program back to Studley campus
• A new Sexton IDEA corridor
  - This project is pending funding and would connect the Sexton campus buildings
• A new mixed-use building on LeMarchant Street opposite Risley Hall
  - This project would provide much-needed new residence space (300 beds)
  - Two floors would be used by Student Services
  - RFPs have been submitted for design and project management services
  - Scheduled for a September 2012 opening.

“The needs are there, obviously,” says Mr. Lamb. “And we’re doing our best to meet those needs.”

Building projects at Dal have seen a huge jump in investment in recent years. The university invested $19 million in capital construction and maintenance projects three years ago, which jumped to $75 million this year and $105 million projected for next year (2010-11).

The reason for this big leap is continual demand for more space. “When I arrived there was still slop (a slang planning term to available space hidden away in a nook and/or cranny of your existing space),” recalls Mr. Lamb. “Six years ago whether it’s in classroom usage or office or storage space usage, there were a lot of spaces that were underutilized and we were able to accommodate needs. The slop isn’t there anymore.”

Rendition of the Life Sciences Research Institute, opening 2011

Mr. Lamb acknowledges that the greatest challenge is the difficulty to plan for the long term. “I’ve got three of my senior team on blood pressure medication,” he jokes. “Our systems aren’t well enough developed on campus yet because when someone needs new space they simply come looking for it instead of thinking how it all fits together.”

So, why now? The last couple of years have seen what Lamb calls a “perfect storm” — a board-led remedy to address Dalhousie’s drastically under funded deferred maintenance budget: money to fix rooms, replace windows and mechanical systems. At the same time the university saw federal funding for different initiatives like the LSRI ($15 million), as well as $27 million from the Knowledge Infrastructure Plan for renovations to the Life Sciences Centre. With a major capital campaign pending, the time is right to begin addressing the campus’ pressing space needs.

The view from Mr. Lamb’s office includes shows the Rowe Management Building, seen by many as a major building success. He’s excited about the prospect of other buildings as well-liked by the students and staff who use them. He points to the new Coburg academic building and the Grad House as buildings that will “wow” the Dal community.

“We’re still going to have to deal with some leaking basements and cranky systems, (but) we’re moving in the right direction, no doubt about it.”