Western’s renewed and renewable commitment to sustainability is far more than a (phosphate-free) laundry list of activities.
Facilities Management
Year in review: The new language of COVID
“Because of COVID” became shorthand for the myriad ways we became experts in the art of the pivot.
Sustainability champions honoured
A Hospitality staffer committed to waste diversion and a student who designed an app to improve use of electric-vehicle charging stations are among winners of this year’s Western sustainability awards.
Campus construction back at work with changes
A busy season for campus construction, renovation, and maintenance resumes this week after a six-week shutdown to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic – although it will not be business as usual, Facilities Management officials announced.
Caretakers deploy new tech in disinfecting efforts
Facilities Management’s Building Services team has turned to technology to ramp up the fight against the spread of germs. Using six new electrostatic sprayers (eSprayers), the team is disinfecting campus more quickly than with traditional cloth wipes.
Team keeps campus fleet rolling safely
Thanks to one campus team, Western staffers at the wheel keep rolling along – safe and sanitized.
Helping bend, shape needs of Western, world
Earlier this month, Clayton Cook and his University Machine Services team constructed a much-need bracket for a local neurosurgeon – a devise to hold a patient’s head in place during lifesaving surgery. Just another Thursday around the shop.
Oldest, youngest campus buildings earn top honours
Both the newly constructed Amit Chakma Engineering Building and historic University College received top honours from the Don Smith Commercial Building Awards.
Campus parking lots reopen (update 6:15 a.m.)
Parking lots across campus have reopened this morning as Western joins the rest of Southwestern Ontario in drying out after a record-setting rain swept through the region this weekend.
Lighting project prompts transit, traffic detours
Transit riders and campus commuters need to plan for detours and delays for the next few weeks as university efforts to brighten up campus continue into the New Year.
Work begins on Biomed Building site
Early work on the new Biomedical Research Facility has begun with construction fence going up in the Medical Science Parking Lot and a section between the Siebens Drake Research Institute and the Medical Science Building already excavated.
Facilities crews ready to dig in after first snow
Winter and snow can evoke polarizing emotions in people. And no one knows this better than Bryan Wakefield,
‘Kent Walk’ revamp earns top design award
It’s not re-labelled on official campus maps – not yet, anyhow – but the pedestrian-priority stretch of Kent Drive that fronts University College has transformed to Kent Walk in everything but name.
Iconic tree fights ‘losing game’; hope sprouts beneath
It’s not the oldest tree on campus – not by a long shot – but it may be one of Western’s most recognizable. But, wracked by disease and marred by several emergency amputations, the European beech that stands atop University College Hill is nearing its end – with an understudy is already growing in the wings.
Campus changes surround Thames Hall reno
As the Thames Hall renovation enters its main phase, Facilities Management officials are flagging changes around the landmark building that might impact day-to-day life for the campus community.
Energy-efficient solutions pay off for Western
A decade of energy-efficiency projects is placing less strain on natural gas supplies and reducing greenhouse gases across campus – all while putting money back into Western’s budget, university officials recently announced.
Construction to impact parking across campus
Early construction work to support the new Biomedical Research Facility will lead to a reduction in spaces in the Medical Science parking lot and a cascade of parking changes, Facilities Management officials announced today.
Two all-way stops added for campus safety
Two new all-way stops being added to campus look to improve safety for all in areas where high volumes of pedestrian and vehicular traffic intersect, Facilities Management officials announced today.
Campus efforts to reduce bird strikes take flight
From afar, the windows of the Western Interdisciplinary Research Building (WIRB) appear as vivid as all outdoors. Fluffy clouds scud across a bright blue sky. But approach it as a bird might But approach it as a bird might and it’s soon apparent that the expanse of windows is a solid object that sports an array of dots – enough dots to persuade feathered wildlife that this is an obstacle to fly around. Not through.
Chakma Building honoured for green push
Recognized for “making a difference” in Canada’s green building industry, the Amit Chakma Engineering Building has been presented the Green Building Excellence Award for New Construction by the Canada Green Building Council at this year’s Leadership Awards Gala Dinner.