Open house on planned campus development

UVic plans to transform the northern part of the campus over the next few years and will offer members of the public an opportunity to learn more about this ambitious project at an open house meeting on Sept. 8 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the McKinnon Building apparatus gym. Presentations about the project will be offered at 5 and 7 p.m.

UVic plans to spend $59 million to construct the Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA) and renovate the McKinnon Building. UVic also plans to build a $17.6-million 505-space parkade connected to CARSA. The buildings are on the site adjacent to Gabriola Road and McKenzie Avenue.

When UVic went to Saanich Council on Aug. 8 to request parking and height variances for CARSA (UVic requested fewer parking spaces and a higher building height than is currently permitted under zoning bylaws), councilors and residents expressed some concerns about the visual impacts of the project. They also requested further community consultation and asked that UVic identify a means to acknowledge the military history of the campus (an existing Second World War army hut will be deconstructed to make way for the project.)

“We’re responding to the concerns expressed at Saanich Council about the project,” says Neil Connelly, UVic’s director of campus planning and sustainability. “At the open house meeting we’ll have additional information and revised images for the parkade and CARSA, and staff will be available to answer questions. There will be an opportunity for those attending to comment and provide input.”

CARSA will provide additional community recreation program availability, recreational and academic support for UVic, and improved facilities for varsity athletes. The proposed centre would also include research and development space for CanAssist, a UVic organization that develops and delivers technologies, programs and services that improve the quality of life for those with disabilities. The program, unique in North America, currently operates out of one of the military huts.

Construction of the proposed parkade will displace 234 parking spaces and over the past few years UVic’s building on parking lots instead of green space has eliminated 230 more. It’s anticipated CARSA will attract more people to campus and the parkade will serve those visitors, CanAssist clients and those who come to campus to attend events in the University Centre and at the Student Union Building.

Among other features, CARSA would include a performance gymnasium, field house, state-of-the-art fitness and weight-training space and a climbing wall. UVic’s health-related research and educational programs in the Department of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education will benefit from improved teaching and research space through renovations to the McKinnon Building, which is part of this project.

Video showing viewlines of project from various points of view: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cmh0wVqteE8