Monthly Archives: February 2013

Register now for the 5th annual Steps for Life walk!

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Last year, there were 23 reported workplace fatalities in Alberta. Unfortunately, the University of Lethbridge experienced one such tragedy firsthand at one of its construction sites. As way of honouring those whose lives were lost and to help support loved ones left behind, the University of Lethbridge is once again participating in the annual Steps for Life – Walking for Victims of Workplace Tragedy event.

Staff of Risk and Safety Services and Wellness have been participating in this walk for the past four years and are putting out the challenge for the University to have a bigger presence and be a significant contributor in the success of the 2013 Steps for Life walk taking place on Saturday, May 4.

Over the last four years, the annual Steps for Life – Walking for Victims of Workplace Tragedy event has been held in Lethbridge at Henderson Lake. The 2012 walk was an amazing success exceeding the anticipated $25,000 goal, with 647 walkers raising more than $30,400. This year the goal has been set to $30,000 with the hopes that once again Lethbridge will shine even more and be the number one fundraiser across Canada for this extremely important charitable event.

This event is open to the University of Lethbridge campus community –students, faculty and staff. Each year a team plaque is awarded for the team that displays the most spirit during the walk.  Let’s be the team that shines and brings the most spirit to this event this year. Let’s get out there and show our support and help make the 2013 Steps for Life Walk the best one yet!

The event occurs in more than 30 communities across Canada as part of the North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week to help raise awareness about injury prevention and to provide assistance to families who have been seriously impacted by a workplace fatality, life-altering injury or occupational disease.

All proceeds generated from this event go directly to the Threads of Life, a registered Canadian charity dedicated to supporting families along their journey of healing who are living with the aftermath of a workplace tragedy.

Corporate sponsorship for this event is also invited and sponsors will be recognized on the banner displayed at the Lethbridge Walk.

For more information visit, www.stepsforlife.ca.

Registration contacts:

Anne Baxter L991A – Risk and Safety Services (403-329-7176)
Suzanne McIntosh SU020E –Wellness (403-332-5217)
Dan Berte AH128 –Risk and Safety Services (403-329-2190)

Event Details:

Date & Time of Walk: Saturday, May 4 at 10 a.m.
Location: Horseshoe Pit Picnic Area -Henderson Lake.
Registration Fee: $10 (walkers aged 14 and under walk free). Registration fee includes lunch and door prizes after the walk.

Project Management Office launches new website

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The Facilities Project Management Office (PMO) is responsible for the project management phase of campus construction and renovation projects.

The PMO consistently has several projects on the go, and in order to better inform the campus and Lethbridge community about its activities, the department has launched a new website.

It includes information about major construction as well as information about some of the smaller projects that don’t see as much limelight as others.

Requests for Proposals and Requests for Quotations for upcoming projects will also be available online.

We hope the new site will become a regular resource for contractors, the campus community, and Lethbridge residents.

Happy browsing!

 

 

 

Floors across campus getting facelifts

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davonian walkway small 2The Caretaking department has been busy refurbishing floors across the University of Lethbridge.

After the success of the renewed aggregate concrete flooring in the Physical Education Building last summer, Caretaking took its floor polishing skills to the University Centre for the Arts Atrium, which is being stripped, ground and polished during evenings and weekends to ensure the least amount of interruption possible.

The 5,800 sq. ft. area should be completed in time for the Canada-wide Science Fair taking place at the U of L in May. Due to uneven floors, some dust may escape the grinding/polishing machine.

The original 1967 hardwood floor near CJ’s food services has also been refurbished. It was sanded and sealed to revive the natural wood colour.

Meanwhile, another flooring project is taking place in the Devonian walkway linking the Library building to UCA.

Caretaking crews are working to strip 13 years of wax from the floor, a task that hasn’t been taken on since the Library was built in 2000.

The floor is actually made of rubber, not linoleum, and as such, the sealer finish used all those years ago wasn’t the correct type, thus discolouring the floor. In addition, the floor area doesn’t get much oxygen which has created an atmosphere for the planters to form yellow rings on the floor due to oxidization.

Once the floor is stripped and a special rubber sealer is applied, the yellow rings will begin to fade and the original colour will shine through. The project should be completed by the first week of March.

In an effort to create better pedestrian traffic flow, the planters and seating will be replaced in the centre of the walkway making a natural right and left lane for people to walk. This trial will last about a month to determine its effectiveness. If unsuccessful, the plants will be returned to their original setting.

The Grounds department will maintain the plants to ensure they are not a pedestrian safety issue.

The digital signage televisions will remain where they are.

The Caretaking department’s next flooring project is set to take place in the Hall of Honour outside the Library doors. Minor work on this area has already begun on the floor edges when Caretaking workers are not able to access the Atrium.

For more information contact Facilities at 403-329-2602.

Summer 2013 construction season

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In January, we mentioned how crazy busy campus constrution was going to be with all the projects planned for this summer. Well, we’ve got a few more details to add in order to keep you in the loop.

Speaking of loops, one of the biggest projects on campus also promises to be the most disruptive:

PE Tunnel Rehabilitation and South Plaza replacement.

This project will see the tearing up and replacing of the concrete slabs on the south plaza, as well as underground tunnel maintenance including leak repairs, installation of new air handling units for better air quality and new lighting.

The tunnel and outdoor area from the PE Building along the Students’ Union Building up to the rotunda near the Library will be closed will be closed throughout the duration of the project to allow heavy equipment to move easily within the site.

The closure also includes the Aperture Road bus loop. The U of L Facilities department is working with the City of Lethbridge to find a new, temporary bus route for L.A. Transit. We will let everyone know what the new route will be once it has been finalized.

Library roof

Nearby, the Library roof will undergo work as crews replace the roofing membrane that has been lifted by the area’s notorious winds. So long as Mother Nature cooperates, the project will last from about May to mid-July. During this time the south entrance to the Library will be closed.

West parking lots

The second phase of the parking lot redevelopment project will see Lots E and G undergo substantial work. In addition to repaving the lots, a storm water management and drainage system along with new trees and landscaping, windbreaks, concrete curbing and sidewalks, and new lighting will enhance the area. As a gateway to the University, this parking area is one of the first areas of campus that people see. The project will help create a sense of place and welcoming to new and returning guests.

UCA North Patio

The wood and concrete flooring on the North Patio off the University Centre for the Arts building will be replaced this summer. The entrance into the patio area at the bottom of the pathway will be closed, but pedestrians should still be able to access the path to gain access to other areas.

Food Services renovation

Now that the U of L has a new food vendor coming on board, work to update the food services area in UCA will get underway this summer.

In addition to these major projects, several others are already underway in less obtrusive areas such as the Prairie Quad north of Markin Hall, University Hall Breezeway infrastructure upgrades, elevator upgrades in UCA, Students’ Union Building and Turcotte Hall, and various flooring replacement and building control upgrade projects that will take place on evenings and weekends.

More information on these and other upcoming projects will be announced  as details emerge. The Facilities department would like to thank everyone in advance for their patience during the busy construction season ahead.