UNews - Destination Project

Exhaust stacks removed from ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall

trevor.kenney — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 20:42:00 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall had a little taken off the top this past week. Call it a crew cut reminiscent of the style of its original look from 1971, the year the iconic Arthur Erickson designed building was completed — the exhaust stacks are gone.

The clean lines of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall have been reclaimed.

A total of 27 stacks were erected over the years as necessary updates to ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall to meet modern laboratory ventilation standards and provide a safe work environment primarily in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s biology and chemistry labs. When the sciences moved into the new Science Commons facility in September 2019, one of the first orders of business was to decommission the stacks and take them down.

“The removal of the exhaust stacks was envisioned early in the design process for Science Commons,” says Gene Lublinkhof, director of Campus Development. “The stacks were necessary but I’m not sure anyone could honestly say they looked great, so we are pleased to see them taken down.”

Removing the stacks is more than symbolic, it marks the starting point of the second phase of the Destination Project, which includes the redevelopment of spaces within the original ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall.

A before look of the many stacks that adorned the roof of the iconic building.

“The building is testament to civic and university leadership’s bold vision to establish a comprehensive liberal arts university in southern Alberta,” adds Lublinkhof. “It set the tone and established the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge as a permanent and important institution for our region.”

Recently, the provincial government made a $20-million commitment to the renewal of the central heating and cooling plant within ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall, a crucial step in the rehabilitation of the building. The new plant replaces one far past its life expectancy and will greatly enhance the energy sustainability of the U of L, ensuring continued reliability of the campus infrastructure.

“With the 50th anniversary of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall’s opening approaching, we are excited to work on revitalization plans of what really is a Lethbridge landmark,” adds Lublinkhof of the world-renowned building. “While we have had strong maintenance strategies throughout the years, and continually upgraded to meet building and fire codes, we still face a number of challenges as we embark on this rehabilitation plan, simply with some of the original mechanical and electrical systems being 50 years old.”

Much needs to be done before that work begins, including the establishment of a master plan for the now open spaces. For now, purists can revel in the return of the flat top to Erickson’s iconic work.

Opening of Science Commons ushers in new era for ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

trevor.kenney — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 15:30:42 +0000

A new era in scientific research and education has dawned with today’s official opening of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s $280-million Science Commons.

The spectacular facility, which brings together the departments of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Neuroscience, Physics & Astronomy and Psychology, is designed to foster transdisciplinary research by providing exceptional opportunities for collaboration and discovery.

At 38,500 sq. metres, it is the largest development on the U of L campus since the original construction of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall began in 1969.

“The history of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is steeped in a tradition of community visionaries coming together to make the improbable possible, just as they did in establishing the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ over 50 years ago,” says Dr. Mike Mahon, U of L president and vice-chancellor. “It took a great community effort to bring the dream of Science Commons together as well. From our incredible faculty and staff, to alumni and donors, our Board of Directors and Senate and all our partners throughout southern Alberta, Science Commons will stand as a testament to visionary thought and perseverance and represent the very best our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has to offer.”

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says the addition of Science Commons at the U of L is a boon for the province.

“On behalf of the Government of Alberta, I congratulate the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge on the opening of Science Commons,” says Kenney “This facility will help thousands of students to learn, innovate and collaborate for decades to come. This project will receive $260 million from Alberta taxpayers, underscoring our province’s commitment to scientific progress, which is critical to our long-term prosperity.”

Demetrios Nicolaides, Alberta’s Minister of Advanced Education, adds that the province’s investment will bolster intellectual capital and strengthen the economy.

“The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has an outstanding reputation for discovery research. The addition of this state-of-the-art facility will further attract international students and inspire more innovation, creativity and growth,” says Nicolaides. “A modern university research centre brings top talent and business to Alberta which builds the workforce and supports a stronger economy.”

Setting the stage for the next 50 years of scientific discovery and education at the U of L, Science Commons is a facility where science transcends disciplines. Large, flexible lab spaces designed with a shared-space ideology encourage collisions among researchers with diverse backgrounds and approaches. Researchers at all stages of their careers, from postdocs to doctoral, masters and undergraduate students and from kindergarten to Grade 12 will come together, sparking conversations and igniting discovery.

Setting the stage for the next 50 years of scientific discovery and education at the U of L, Science Commons is a facility where science transcends disciplines.

“From the outset, the vision of our faculty members was to stay true to our liberal education roots. The key to the success of this facility is to foster a culture of discovery and innovation that is outward-facing, responsive to societal needs and inspires the next generation,” says Dr. Matthew Letts, interim dean for the Faculty of Arts & Science. “Science Commons will build upon our collaborative approach to research and our experiential approach to learning.”

The facility also creates greater opportunity for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to build on its relationships with southern Alberta industry partners.

“The U of L has long been an economic driver in our community and Science Commons will expand our ability to foster partnerships as we translate knowledge from the lab to industry,” adds Mahon.

Dr. Ute Kothe, a researcher in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, says the world-class research already being conducted at the U of L will be further enhanced by the amenities within Science Commons.

“This building will draw scientists to Lethbridge, and that will really ensure we are bringing the best minds to Lethbridge to conduct world-class research here,” says Kothe. “They will work in state-of-the-art facilities and they will learn to work collaboratively because this is really the philosophy of the U of L — to bring people together and cross disciplinary boundaries and generate the best ideas.”

With glass the defining design feature of Science Commons, it embodies the concept of science on display, serving as an open invitation to the public to see the world’s brightest minds as they work to solve today’s greatest challenges. Further, the facility offers dedicated spaces that will double the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s capacity for science outreach activities — a true science centre for southern Alberta.

“What makes Science Commons so extraordinary is by the manner in which the architecture and the facility have been structured to foster research, teaching, collaborative space, public space, all in a domain that actually brings together multidisciplinary researchers and the public at large,” says Dr. Fred Wrona, chief scientist, Alberta Environment and Parks, Government of Alberta.

Students are taking notice. New Fall 2019 registrants to Bachelor of Science (BSc) programs offered by the Faculty of Arts & Science are up over 23 per cent from last year, while total BSc registrants are up nearly 10 per cent.

“The open concept allows for a lot of collaboration between different labs, so I’m excited to learn with new tools and new techniques that I might not have had access to before,” says Catrione Lee, a fourth-year biochemistry student.

Already one of the country’s leading research universities, Science Commons positions the U of L at the forefront of science research and education, inspiring the next generation of research scientists and setting the stage for an unprecedented era of discovery.

Dr. Hans-Joachim Wieden, Alberta Innovates Strategic Chair in RNA Bioengineering, Tier I Board of Governors Research Chair in Biomolecular Design and Function and the founding director of the Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI), is succinct in his appraisal of Science Commons.

“I’m convinced that this facility is the best facility for research and science education in Canada.”

UPDATE

Just prior to the offical opening ceremony, Science Commons was blessed and elder Francis First Charger bestowed the Blackfoot name Isttaniokaksini on the facility. Its meaning refers to deep knowledge and awareness rising out of the unknown into the known.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s newest building to be named Science Commons

caroline.zentner — Fri, 30 Aug 2019 17:50:44 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s new $280-million science facility has been named Science Commons.

The name was chosen to reflect the fact that the building brings together eight different departments in an environment that stimulates collaboration and brings a multidisciplinary approach to solving the complex problems of today.

“The main idea behind using the word “commons” was to reflect the fact that this building is inviting, not to only our scientists, but to everyone across campus from all faculties, as well as the entire community in Lethbridge and southern Alberta,” says Dr. Matthew Letts, interim dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science.

As Canada’s most advanced science facility, Science Commons brings together faculty and students from Chemistry & Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Neuroscience, Physics & Astronomy and Psychology. The building is designed to provide an environment where bright minds can join forces to consider the wider implications of their work. Students will work alongside world-renowned researchers as they tackle complex questions, supported by state-of-the-art spaces, equipment and resources.

Science Commons also features dedicated spaces that allow the U of L to double its capacity for science outreach with schools, through science camps and clubs, and the community at large, through lifelong learning and meeting places.

“Science Commons is the perfect descriptor because the building is specially equipped for world-class scientific research and teaching, while the word “commons” denotes that the space is meant for everyone. The science-on-display concept is designed to encourage community participation, showcase the extraordinary work that happens in the labs here and inspire the next generation,” says Letts.

Designed to enhance the U of L’s sustainability, Science Commons demonstrates Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and aims for gold LEED certification. With its natural ventilation, the Science Commons takes advantage of the sun and the wind. Floor-to-ceiling windows and interior glass walls maximize the amount of natural light. An active lighting system equipped with LED lights, motion sensors and sensors that automatically dim lights when natural light is available help prevent energy waste. High-efficiency control systems provide energy savings and the Wintergarden takes advantage of the southern sun exposure to preheat air entering the building’s ventilation system, further reducing heating costs.

Everyone is invited to come and see Science Commons for themselves during the Big Bang Grand Opening Weekend on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13 and 14. Official opening ceremonies are scheduled for Friday, Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. As part of the grand opening, a Blackfoot name will be bestowed to the building during a traditional Blackfoot ceremony.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to officially open new Science and Academic Building with community celebration

trevor.kenney — Wed, 15 May 2019 15:55:44 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, in partnership with Economic Development Lethbridge and Beakerhead Creative Society, are planning a community celebration to mark the official opening of its new Science and Academic Building – and everyone’s invited.

The two-day event will take place Sept. 13-14, 2019 and feature a host of interactive programs designed to showcase the spectacular 38,500 sq. metre building, celebrate ingenuity, science education, research and discovery.

“This building was designed to showcase the incredible research activities being done here on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge campus and to inspire future generations of scientists,” says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon. “From the very beginning, this building was envisioned as a science centre for southern Alberta and we are excited about celebrating the official opening with all of southern Alberta.”

As ambassadors for our city, Economic Development Lethbridge has been a strong advocate for the Science and Academic Building from the outset, recognizing the economic impact of its construction and how it will be a driver of innovation and entrepreneurship for years to come.

“The underlying theme of the Brighter Together brand for Lethbridge is that innovation and leadership will take our community forward into the future,” says EDL CEO Trevor Lewington. “We are pleased to partner with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to bring Beakerhead to the city as we showcase the new Science and Academic Building while actively engaging the community in what leadership in innovation really looks like.”

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and EDL have partnered to sponsor the Beakerhead activities that will enhance the many U of L faculty presentations designed to engage and excite visitors during the grand opening celebrations. An Alberta-based charity, Beakerhead’s mandate is to advance education at the crossroads of art, science and engineering, believing that when you throw open the doors to science and engineering through a welcoming world of art and entertainment, ingenuity happens.

“We are excited to bring a small taste of Beakerhead to celebrate the grand opening with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge,” says Jeff Popiel, Beakerhead CEO. “Creating a hub like this for science education, outreach and collaboration inevitably sparks ideas, inventions and discoveries that will redefine the future.”

The official opening of the Science and Academic Building culminates a near nine-year process of advocacy, planning and eventually construction.

“We had our first meetings with then Premier Ed Stelmach on the day we opened Markin Hall in Fall 2010,” says Mahon. “We have long been committed to creating a science centre that served the needs of our outstanding faculty and student researchers and ignited a passion for science discovery throughout the region. I couldn’t be more excited that we are nearing the day of officially opening that long-held dream.”

Science and Academic Building shortlisted for World Architecture Festival award

trevor.kenney — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 20:56:55 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s soon-to-be-completed Science and Academic Building, the centerpiece of the Destination Project, has been shortlisted as a finalist for an award at the World Architecture Festival 2018.

Rendering of the completed Science and Academic Building.

“We’ve always known we were creating something iconic and that this building would set a new standard for science and academic facilities in the country. Now that we’re nearing completion, it’s exciting to see it take shape and be recognized for its design and functionality, which we believe will create a revolutionary teaching and research environment,” says U of L Provost and Vice-President (Academic), Dr. Andy Hakin.

Designed by KPMB|Stantec – Architects in Association, the Science and Academic Building is competing in the Education – Future Project category, with a winner to be announced at the World Architecture Festival in Amsterdam, November 28-30. The U of L project is one of 12 in the category, which includes a trio of Australian buildings, two from both Russia and India, as well as others from Denmark, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Kenya.

“The Destination Project has been an experience of a lifetime,” says Vice-President, Architecture for Stantec, Michael Moxam. “The Integrated Design Process that brought all the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ stakeholders and our incredible design team together has resulted in a vision for the Science and Academic Building that will break new ground in transdisciplinary education and research in science, in environmental sustainability, and in campus building. The iconic landscape that so inspired Arthur Erickson in the design of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall has equally inspired us and this will be clearly evident in the experience of the building.”

A look at construction progress on the Science and Academic Building, April 2018.

Bruce Kuwabara, JV Partner/Co-Project Director at KPMB, says a truly cooperative approach was key to the design of the project.

“This recognition is a testament to deep collaboration between the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and our team,” says Kuwabara. “The architecture builds on the past to shape the future: it is inspired by the deep geographical past of the majestic coulee landscape and Canada’s legacy of modernist architecture embodied in Arthur Erickson’s ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall.”

Once completed, the Science and Academic Building will be one of the most advanced facilities for teaching and researching the sciences in the country. Sustainably designed with local climate in mind, students, faculty and community will come together for innovation and discovery. Its open and flexible laboratory environment will encourage and foster research between the sciences, creating opportunities for transdisciplinary collaborations. Ideas will flourish and give students and faculty innovative ways to problem solve with more resources available than ever before.

Brian Sullivan, Destination Project program director, says construction on the Science and Academic Building will be completed in Spring 2019 with its first intake of students in the 2019 Fall Semester.

“Construction is progressing very well with interior fit outs and landscaping well underway,” says Sullivan. “It’s always exciting to see the end of a project approaching and we look forward to opening the doors and realizing its completion.”

The World Architecture Festival is dedicated to celebrating, sharing and inspiring outstanding architecture. It is the only architecture event where keynote talks from the industry’s most influential figures sit alongside live judging presentations from over 500 award finalists plus global networking and an international product exhibition. Held in Amsterdam this year, the WAF awards sit at the heart of the festival, the only global awards program where architects present their completed buildings and future projects live to a panel of internationally renowned judges and delegates from around the world.

For more information, check out the World Architecture Festival and the Education – Future Project category.

Local companies investing in southern Alberta’s future

trevor.kenney — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 22:45:16 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s new Science and Academic Building is set to be the home of innovation for southern Alberta and beyond. The most sustainable building on the Lethbridge campus to date, the building will also showcase the work of some of southern Alberta’s most skilled trades and services.

Southern Alberta businesses show they can compete with large national companies on the bidding stage.

Derochie Painting Ltd. is just one of many local companies who were awarded a contract on the building. Owner and operator, Bob Derochie, says being involved with a project of the new Science and Academic Building’s size and calibre is a credit to the reputation the company has built over the past 35 years.

“When my father started the business out of his garage in Coaldale in 1979, I’m not sure he would have envisioned where it’d be today,” says Derochie. “While the business has substantially grown over the years, our work ethic has stayed the same. If you’re honest with the client and work hard, the projects will come.”

Destination Project Program Manager, Brian Sullivan, says while it’s great to work with trusted local names like Derochie amongst many others, it shows that southern Alberta businesses can compete with large national companies on the bidding stage.

“As is required, PCL Construction Management Ltd. put the tender out for the construction of this building far and wide,” says Sullivan. “It’s been incredible to see so many locally-based companies coming in so competitively, not only in their price, but in the high standard of work they put out too. These local guys were up against some big names in the industry, so it was great to see them being awarded this contract.”

One other local business benefitting from the project is Floor Right. Owner and U of L alumnus, Darryl Moore (BMgt ’02) says being involved in the construction of the building is a continuation of a long-standing relationship with the U of L.

“Floor Right has been involved with every capital project at the U of L since the early-2000s,” says Moore. “It shows that we’re not only doing outstanding work but that we’re doing it honestly and maintaining a competitive edge.”

Moore goes on to say being involved with local projects is not only good for business but it’s good for the area.

“Being based in a city that is home to a university and college, you see the benefit of contributing to these institutions,” says Moore. “Each year, we see new growth in the population and with that comes new ideas and innovation. It’s exciting to think about the day my kids could be walking on the floors that I helped to install on this project.”

Working locally and investing locally is a sentiment Millwork Innovations III (MI3) owners, Willy Reger & Jill Chouinard, share with Moore. Reger came to Canada from Germany in the early 2000s and says southern Alberta has been a welcoming community and one he’s thrilled to be able to contribute to.

“When we get the opportunity to work locally, we’re always ecstatic,” says Reger. “Getting to help your community grow and expand is something we really enjoy and value at MI3. Our staff take great pride in being able to point to something in their own city and say, I helped build that.”

With more than 20 local trades and companies contributing to the construction of the new Science and Academic Building, the project is definitely an investment of more than just money in the local economy. The sense of pride and hard work that is shared between each of these companies is palpable and one the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is excited to be able to showcase when the building opens in the fall of 2019.

Students step into the future

trevor.kenney — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 22:36:22 +0000

For a group of current ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge students, the future home of science became a reality recently when they took a step onto the construction site of the new Science and Academic Building.

Members of the Organization of Residence Students (ORS) and residence advisors Kate Potts, Jaylyn Potts, Brady Hornung, Adam Geib and Kya Zoretich were among those given a tour of the building. Having never been on a construction site of this size before, the students say they were left in awe after the tour.

“The main atrium when walking into the building was most impressive to me,” says ORS President, Hornung. “The obvious appeal of having a giant glass wall overlooking the coulees is going to make the space feel very open and welcoming. The way the project is built around this main atrium with offices, meeting rooms and classrooms will create such a positive energy for this hub at the heart of the Science and Academic Building.”

For Kate Potts, ORS vice-president of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall, learning how the building is designed to enhance transdisciplinary work was enlightening.

“I enjoyed seeing how bright and open the space is going to be as well as hearing about the thought that went behind each and every decision made for the project,” says Potts.

Leading the tour of the building was an especially significant highlight for Program Director, Brian Sullivan.

“Students are going to benefit so much from having a state-of-the-art facility to learn and explore in. Being able to show this group of students the spaces they’ll be getting to experience and seeing the amazement on their faces was truly wonderful,” says Sullivan.

As for contributing to the student experience, Vice-President of Coulee View, Adam Geib says the new building will be a huge positive for the future of U of L students.

“I think this building is going to improve the lives of students greatly,” says Geib. “I think it will not only allow for more opportunities to be taken by students who are in the sciences, but as well I think that it will allow other programs to expand and get new spaces of their own since the science labs will be moved over. This building will put the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in the forefront for research and will allow students to experience things they would not have before.”

Little Yeller joins the Destination Project

m.williams — Mon, 21 Nov 2016 19:20:22 +0000

After a few months of doing all of the heavy lifting, Big Yeller, the tower crane onsite at the Destination Project, has received a helping hand, or jib, to be more accurate.

Little Yeller, the second tower crane, is now assembled and working away to ensure that every inch of the new science and academic building site is able to be reached. Standing slightly shorter than his larger compatriot, Little Yeller stands at around 165 feet and has almost the same lifting capacity.

Together, these two enormous pieces of machinery are pushing forward the progress on the Destination Project but they don’t do it alone. Someone has to push the buttons and pull the levers, a position Kerry Swift has been sitting high above ground in for more than 25 years.

“It takes around 10 to 15 minutes to climb up to the cabin. Going up around 200 feet gets your heart going in the morning that’s for sure,” says Swift. “The trick in the winter is not get too much of a sweat worked up because as soon as you get inside the cabin, the whole thing fogs up and then you’ve got to wait before you can get working.”

For people that work on the ground, the idea of having your office way up in the sky can seem kind of thrilling or terrifying depending on your comfort level with heights. But for Swift, it’s just the everyday humdrum of his career.

“Getting to be up so high and see out over the landscape was a real adrenaline rush when I first started, but now it’s just where my desk is,” Swift laughed.

You can see Swift and Big Yeller working on the construction site by viewing the live view cameras on the Destination Project’s website, destinationproject.ca.

Boots on the ground; Destination Project powers ahead

m.williams — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 16:02:24 +0000

As the winter months quickly approach, work on the Destination Project is far from slowing down. ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ President, Dr. Mike Mahon, recently toured the construction site and says the progress is remarkable.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ President Dr. Mike Mahon gets an on-the-ground update on the progress of the Destination Project build.

“I toured the site in early September and in that short amount of time it has undergone incredible change,” says Mahon.

The progression of the build has been moving ahead thanks to the considered planning, management and work of PCL Construction Management and U of L staff. The Destination Project has a hardworking team of project managers and administrators based in the construction trailer office on site. Project Director Brian Sullivan says the team working on the science and academic building is one of the best he’s worked with to date.

“The Destination Project is the biggest construction project this campus has seen, with the exception of the original ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall building. There are so many moving pieces that go into a project of this size and having a team that works well under that type of stress is absolutely essential. Better yet is that we still manage to have a laugh in the process,” says Sullivan.

Board of Governors Chair, Kurt Schlachter (BSc ’00), says adding to the success of the build is the quality of local industry partners.

“Southern Alberta is home to some of the best trades and supply companies in the industry. Companies like D.A Electric Ltd., Reive Plumbing and Heating Ltd. and Maverick Concrete Ltd. are all based in our community and we’re able to directly inject significant dollars into the local economy by simply hiring the best in the business. It’s a win-win situation,” says Schlachter.

Board of Governors Chair, Kurt Schlachter (BSc ’00) listens as Project Director Brian Sullivan updates the group on the progress of construction.

In addition to the construction industry adding to the smooth progression of the Destination Project, faculty input has been key in the planning and design stages of the new science and academic building. Mahon believes without the careful consideration and time from faculty and staff, the end result would be a mere shadow of what we will see with the final product.

“Having faculty input and opinion in the design stage was paramount to ensuring the Destination Project is a success not only for students and the southern Alberta community, but for our talented team of researchers and faculty,” says Mahon. “It will ensure our own people are equipped with the resources they need to power ahead in their research and make new and exciting discoveries right here at home.”

Dr. Janay Nugent (BA '95) and Students' Union President, Cameron Howey enjoy a tour of the Destination Project.

With the final concrete raft slab pour taking place in the coming weeks, the next significant milestone will be the addition of a second tower crane in mid-November. Take a tour from above the future home of science in southern Alberta by watching fly-over drone footage at destinationproject.ca.

Destination Project powers ahead with 'Big Yeller'

m.williams — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 15:25:52 +0000

The Destination Project site has welcomed a big, bright yellow buddy to do some seriously heavy lifting. The tower crane, nicknamed “Big Yeller” which stands over 200 ft tall, is owned by PCL Construction Management. PCL Superintendent, Daryl Campbell, says it took some careful forethought and manpower to get Big Yeller on site.

“The planning process for this crane took quite some time as there are a lot of moving pieces to organize when using this type of crane. Just to physically get the crane here took nine trucks which drove from Nisku, south of Edmonton,” says Campbell.

The tower crane is assembled in sections and stages and once it’s complete, Big Yeller has the lifting capacity of around 26,500 pounds when the load is closest to the mast. At the tip of the crane’s jib, the crane can lift around 10,800 pounds. This kind of lifting capacity will come in handy as the columns and concrete levels start to take shape.

Taking around two days to completely erect and have operational, the tower crane is built by a team of seven people. Not to mention the other crane which was needed to help construct it.

“The red, lifting crane that had been onsite to assist with the assembly of the tower crane has a lifting capacity of around 500 tons and there are very few in Western Canada,” says Campbell.

Apart from standing out on the campus landscape, another unique fact about Big Yeller is that the pad or base of the crane is actually built right into the raft slab of the building. This makes the bottom 8 ft. section of crane somewhat sacrificial. Once Big Yeller has completed its final duty, the crane will be broken down again and a welder will come to cut the base section down to the raft slab and then the final concrete slab will be poured right over the top.

Big Yeller will be joined by another tower crane mid-November, but it won’t stand quite as tall as it’s big brother. Watch Big Yeller do some seriously heavy lifting by checking out the live webcams at destinationproject.ca

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