Backgrounder: Construction Begins On $42.5-Million Upgrades At UVic

The University of Victoria is benefitting from a joint federal-provincial stimulus package to support research and teaching infrastructure enhancement at Canadian institutions. UVic is receiving $42.5 million through the Canada-British Columbia Knowledge Infrastructure Program to renovate six campus buildings averaging 40 years of age.

The project will extend the useful lives of campus buildings, including classrooms and laboratories, while improving safety and reducing maintenance requirements. Renovations will improve the thermal performance and energy efficiency of UVic’s older buildings in support of the university’s commitment to sustainability through the replacement of windows, upgrades to heating, ventilation, lighting and air conditioning systems. The work involves the following buildings:

Clearihue—the oldest academic building on campus (constructed 1962 with a 1971 addition) will receive a seismic upgrade, interior renovations, sprinkler system installations and fire alarm upgrades.

Cornett—built in 1966, its upgrade includes seismic improvements, interior renovations, sprinkler system installation and fire alarm upgrades. Cornett is home to the departments of anthropology, psychology and sociology.

Cunningham—completed in 1971, it is home to the biology department, an interdisciplinary centre for forest biology, a 32,000-plant herbarium and numerous specialized research facilities. Renovations include seismic and life safety and sprinkler system upgrades. Mechanical system upgrades proposed for this building will save an estimated $140,000 in annual energy costs for heating.

Elliott—this laboratory and research wing, built in 1963 and 1964, houses the departments of physics, astronomy and chemistry. Renovations include the construction of new exterior concrete shear walls as part of a seismic upgrade, sprinkler system installations and fire alarm upgrades.

MacLaurin—built in 1967, is home to the education faculty and school of music. Renovations include seismic reinforcing work to the basement foundation and first floor, asbestos removal, sprinkler system installations and fire alarm upgrades.

University Centre—built in 1978, the centre houses the Farquhar Auditorium, the Maltwood Museum and Art Gallery, and the main university cafeteria. Thousands of people attend performances and exhibitions here each year. Renovations include seismic and safety upgrades, sprinkler system installations and fire alarm upgrades.

All these projects involve six local architectural firms, 21 sub-consulting engineering firms and three construction management companies, creating 175 new jobs in design/construction through to the end of January and seven new jobs at UVic. Job creation is expected to increase throughout 2010 as the tendering process continues.