Due to the economic downturn and diminishing contractual work, the Faculty of Engineering laid off four employees from the Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel Wednesday.
Three full-time positions and one contract position were eliminated. The facility employed a total of 19 full-time staff and two contract employees.
“This is a very difficult day, not just for those individuals, but all of those who work with them. We are very grateful for what they and all of the staff have done for the Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel and for Western,” says Engineering Dean Andy Hrymak.
“The Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel has been seen as a world leader in wind engineering, in both innovation and expertise, and today’s current financial difficulties are not a reflection on that proud history.”
The wind tunnel supports the faculty’s academic research; but it was the commercial contract side of its use, including providing expertise on the wind effects on high rise buildings and long-span structures (such as bridges), that has created financial challenges for the facility.
“It’s the economic downturn, the diminishing contract work that has been a result of that downturn that has created this very difficult financial position,” he says.
The wind tunnel has not received the amount of contract work traditionally seen in the past from companies related to the construction and design of such structures.
The university examined a number of options, but Hrymak says it would not be enough to address the large gap between revenues and expenses for the wind tunnel’s commercial aspects, and necessitated layoffs.
“The economic downturn has been deeper and longer than was expected and right now we don’t have a clear timeline on when things may improve,” he says.
“We are examining all of the options to stabilize the commercial aspects and prepare for what we hope will be future growth.”
Hrymak says research at the wind tunnel will continue and remains an important part of the faculty. He notes the faculty will be looking for new opportunities for commercial contractual work beyond its current scope, particularly in areas of natural disaster mitigation and wind energy.
As well, the announcement will not affect current contracts and the Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel will continue to pursue proposals sent for new projects.
“Wind engineering is one of the signature areas and one of the areas Western is internationally known for,” he says, noting areas such as with the WindEEE Dome promise a number of opportunities for future research.
“At the same time we need to support current staff and infrastructure who are working on the academic problems of today.”
The university is offering services to those affected by the layoffs, as well as to the staff who work with them, through Human Resources. Anyone with questions or concerns is encouraged to speak with Hrymak directly.
