Tag Archives: library

Campus construction projects starting soon

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The University of Lethbridge has met with a significant challenge in dealing with recent budget cuts. Several departments across campus have felt the hit including Facilities. The parking lot project won’t be as extensive as previously reported, and the UCA North Patio renovation project has been postponed until further notice.

However, several other exciting projects are in the works to help enhance our campus and  create a more sustainable environment.

Food Services Renovations

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.

Work to improve the Amamark food services area in University Hall and LINC will begin in May. Due to the extensive renovations of this project, Coulee Junction (CJ’s) will be closed for the summer.

Prelim view CJ's 2

CJ’s will be renamed “The Urban Market.” The floor area will expand from 885 sq. metres to 1,085 sq. metres. The facility will see several upgrades including new electrical, plumbing and ventilation systems, and renovations to the Aramark Catering business offices, food service areas, dining room, and cooking and food prep stations. The new venue is set to open August 2013.

In addition, Fresh Express in Block C of U Hall will be transformed into Subway, and The Station (Level 9 LINC) will become Starbucks.

Parking Lot Rehabilitation

Due to budget constraints, work on the western parking lots will be limited to completion of last year’s work as well as repairs to some badly damaged asphalt resulting from a harsh winter conditions.

Library Roof

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-August. During this time the south entrance to the Library from the Aperture loop will be closed.

The Library’s south patio doors will also be closed intermittently throughout the summer however, the north entrance will remain open.

PE Tunnel and South Plaza Rehabilitation

The South Plaza will see about 1,500 sq. m. of concrete removed and re-poured along the exterior of the Max Bell Aquatic Centre and Student’s Union Building. This area will be closed from May to December to allow heavy equipment to move easily within the site.

Due to construction both inside the tunnel and on the plaza, the tunnel will be closed for the duration of the project.

Construction fencing and snow fencing will be placed around the site. Entrances highlighted in red on the below image indicate door closures for the duration of the project. Entrances highlighted in green (PE Building) indicate temporary public access.

H:AppsDraftRNOPedestrian Tunnel South Plaza RehabilitationP

 

Pedestrians traveling from the Library to the upper campus are encouraged to use the pathways north of the Library to the northern building entrances.

Vehicular traffic will be directed through Lot D. Public transit stops will be moved back towards the Library entrance (highlighted in pink above).

 

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.

Another busy building year at U of L

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It’s a New Year which means a new list of campus enhancing activities is being planned by the Facilities department.

The Project Management Office (PMO) is gearing up for next summer’s construction season with several projects aimed to improve campus life for the University community.

A significant project taking place is the rehabilitation of the PE underground tunnel and south plaza replacement. Construction is set to begin in May and run through to the end of the year.

The project addresses necessary infrastructure upgrades including tunnel leak repairs as well as work to improve the air quality and lighting. The tunnel murals should be preserved unless unforeseen circumstances arise.

Work on the south plaza will see about 1,500 sq. m. of concrete removed and re-poured along the exterior of the Max Bell Aquatic Centre and Student’s Union Building up to the north side of the library and rotunda.

Pedestrian Tunnel South Plaza Rehabilitation

Because the area above the tunnel cannot withstand more than 10,000 lbs. of weight, the underground tunnel will be closed throughout the duration of the project to allow the coordination of heavy duty excavation equipment.

The Aperture Drive bus loop and Lot D with the loop will be also closed during construction. A new, temporary bus route will be planned in conjunction with the City of Lethbridge. The new route will be announced when it is finalized.

The tunnel will remain closed during both June and October convocations. More details regarding this project will be released as it becomes available.

The final phase of the Parking Lot Redevelopment Project will also get underway this summer. The project includes paving Lots E and G, installing landscaping and trees, and the construction of storm water management and drainage systems.

The new residence in Aperture Park will open in July 2013. The last sections of concrete pouring for the 259-bed facility has already taken place. The pouring of the residence roof on Dec. 12 was a significant milestone for the construction crew and we were happy to have the University Board of Governors take in a tour of the site the following day.

Housing is already taking applications for returning students. Read more about what the residence will look like here.

Proposed project looks to expand study space on campus

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Having a place to study on campus is an important part of student life. However, informal learning and social spaces outside of the classroom is sparse. Markin Hall is currently the only building on campus that meets a new established minimum target (15 per cent) assigned for learning spaces. Other than the Library Information Network Centre (LINC), less than five per cent of space in our campus buildings is currently allocated as informal study space.

To address the shortfall, Facilities is presently undertaking a planning initiative that would not only see the creation of more study hubs and commuter lounges for students, it would also see the reorganization of the library in order to house a Learning Commons with customized, functional learning environments.

A Key Parameters document outlining the framework of the project is available here.