While close to $8 million in new construction is planned for 2009-10, federal funds will be a determining factor on some major renovations, including hoped-for Physics & Astronomy (P&A) upgrades.
“We are still on hold,” says Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Fred Longstaffe.
“That said, we are hoping that between anticipated federal and provincial infrastructure funds – for whatever university projects those levels of government choose to support – and potential room in the Capital Debt model that those funds might create, we will be able to move forward on the P&A project.”
The other major renovation project awaiting infrastructure support is the Services Building for relocation of the Faculty of Information and Media Studies ($4.4 in 2009-10 budget, $15 million project total).
The federal budget this past February announced up to $2 billion in new infrastructure funds for Canada’s post-secondary institutions, with 70 per cent set aside for deferred maintenance and repairs at universities. The other 30 per cent would go to colleges.
Longstaffe says the university has already received $9 million in provincial funding for P&A, with $2.7 million budgeted this year, (26.5 million project total), adding “it would be good to take advantage of those resources as soon as possible.”
The $25-million overhaul of 97,000 square feet in one of Western’s original buildings would update the electrical, HVAC, IT infrastructure and teaching/research facilities.
Once the university learns about its share of the funding, which Longstaffe hopes will begin happening in the next few weeks, Western can determine if the two projects can proceed.
Major renovations already underway include Stevenson Hall and Lawson Hall ($7.6 million in 2009-10 budget, $18.8 million project total) and the University Community Centre ($6.9 million in 2009-10 budget, $10.2 million project total).
“The infrastructure funding may assist with the financing of these projects and thus create some opportunities within our debt limits to take on other high priority projects,” says Gitta Kulczycki, Vice-President (Resources & Operations).
Also on the renovation list is the Biological and Geological Building ($3.7 million in 2009-10 budget, $37.2 million project total), information technology network and infrastructure upgrades ($3.1 million in 2009-10 budget, $8 million project total) and Brain and Mind Research Group – Natural Sciences Building ($1.8 million in 2009-10 budget, $2 million project total).
Leading the way in the $7.8 million in new construction is $4.8 million for the Student Services Building, ($21.7 million project total), which is set to finish in time for the new school year, and the Claudette MacKay-Lassonde Pavilion at $2.2 million $20 million project total).
Other projects include finishing touches to the Western Student Recreation Centre ($409,000), Support Services building ($325,000) and the Advanced Facility for Avian Research ($121,000).