New Buildings to Address Future Teaching, Research Needs

Two new buildings planned for the University of Victoria will help address a serious shortfall in teaching and research space. Advanced education minister Ida Chong announced $60.4 million in provincial government funding for new science and social sciences/mathematics buildings today. The remaining $20.5 million required for the new construction will be raised by UVic.

“We’re extremely grateful to the provincial government for its support for this expansion,” says UVic president Dr. David Turpin. “As a result, we will be able to accommodate nearly 1,800 additional students by 2010. The students and researchers moving into these new buildings will benefit directly and the teaching and research space they free up will give other departments much needed room to expand.”

The planned $50 million, 10,920 square metre science building will include 350-seat and 140-seat tiered lecture theatres and will consolidate all members of the school of earth and ocean sciences (SEOS) in one structure, providing better opportunities for research collaboration and knowledge sharing. The building will also house some faculty members from the department of chemistry.

The $30 million, 8,600 square metre social sciences/mathematics building will include four tiered lecture theatres and will house the departments of geography, environmental studies, political science, and mathematics and statistics.

“By constructing new buildings along with increasing funding for seats, we’re ensuring that students have more access to post-secondary education,” Chong says. “Cost sharing with the University of Victoria is an effective way of ensuring the funds are in place to start building right away and it will boost the university’s capacity for instruction and significant research.”

The two new buildings are part of an extensive $120.5 million building program at UVic to help the university meet the needs of growing student enrolment and research programs recognized as among the best in the world.

UVic is planning to complete the social sciences/mathematics building by January 2008 and finish construction on the science building six months later.

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