UNews - PE Building

Moving forward brings change

trevor.kenney — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 21:20:23 +0000

It's been said that the only constant in the world is change. That's certainly the case when it comes to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. With 40-year-old infrastructure that is starting to show its age, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has been slowly upgrading the Lethbridge campus's physical attributes.

The Department of Facilities is working to create more modern spaces in a more sustainable environment, making the U of L a destination to be desired with better access, enhanced food services and state-of-the-art research facilities.

Unfortunately, you can't have change without, well, change. Renovations to existing structures and new construction can be noisy, messy and just plain inconvenient. That's why the department arranges to do the majority of its construction when classes are not in session.

While there are less people on campus during the summer months, the U of L is still buzzing with activity during this time and every effort is made to minimize the inconvenience to those who remain.

Most projects are completed between May and September, but some factors, such as Mother Nature (who likes to keep contractors on their toes) or unforeseen construction obstacles, can delay projects well into the fall semester. Some projects are so big that they will extend even further into the year. The impending PE Tunnel Rehabilitation and South Plaza Replacement is one of them.

Replacing the concrete in the south plaza presents a unique challenge as the PE Tunnel sits directly below and no more than 10,000 lbs. of weight can be placed on top of the tunnel at any time. Removing the concrete slabs above the tunnel will therefore require some creative manoeuvring.

The PE Tunnel restoration includes leak repairs, the installation of new air handling units to enhance air quality and the addition of new lighting. The tunnel will be closed throughout the duration of the project.

From May to possibly the end of the year, the outdoor area from the PE Building along the Students' Union Building up to the rotunda near the Library will also be closed to allow heavy equipment to move easily within the construction site. The closure also includes the bus loop, and the Department of Facilities has been working with the City of Lethbridge to establish a new, temporary bus route – the details of which will be released once they have been finalized.

Library roof

Nearby, the roof of the Library will undergo work as crews replace the roofing membrane that has been lifted by the area's notorious winds. As long as Mother Nature cooperates, the project will last from about May to mid-July. During this time the south entrance to the Library will be closed.

West parking lots

The second phase of the parking lot redevelopment project will see Lots E and G undergo substantial work. In addition to repaving the lots, a storm water management and drainage system along with new trees and landscaping, windbreaks, concrete curbing and sidewalks, and new lighting will enhance the area. As a gateway to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, this parking area is one of the first areas of campus that people see. The project will help create a sense of place and welcoming to new and returning guests.

UCA North Patio

The wood and concrete flooring on the North Patio off the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts (UCA) building will be replaced this summer. The entrance into the patio area at the bottom of the pathway will be closed, but pedestrians should still be able to access the path by alternate means.

Food Services

Now that the U of L has a new food vendor coming on board, work to update the food services area in UCA will get underway this summer.

In addition to these major projects, several others are already occurring in less obtrusive areas such as the Prairie Quad north of Markin Hall, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Breezeway infrastructure upgrades, elevator upgrades in UCA, Students' Union Building and Turcotte Hall, and various flooring replacement and building control upgrade projects that will take place on evenings and weekends.

More information on these and other upcoming projects will be communicated to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community as details emerge. The facilities department would like to thank everyone in advance for their patience during the busy construction season ahead.

Jamie Woodford is the project assistant, communications, for the Department of Facilities

This story first appeared in the Febraury 2013 edition of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Summer campus projects give new look

trevor.kenney — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:26:01 +0000

As another academic year gets underway, new and returning students, staff and faculty will see some significant changes to the U of L's physical campus.

The Department of Facilities and its Project Management Office have been working diligently to create and renovate a variety of new and improved spaces.

This past summer was one of the largest building seasons the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has ever seen – about $30 million worth – making our campus the busiest building site south of Calgary. While construction crews have been working around the clock and most projects are near completion, not all are finished.

The new quad area north of Markin Hall promises to give the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ another parkland setting, complete with rolling hills and well-lit walking paths.

The Facilities department appreciates everyone's patience as crews wrap up the remaining construction, and ask that all posted signs be obeyed to ensure everyone's safety.

The second and final phase of the mechanical upgrades to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts should be done by early September. A typical break-in period of new equipment is expected to follow. The project will not only improve air quality but also create a more energy efficient building operation.

Several areas of the PE Building are also wrapping up construction, including the finishing touches on the south plaza entrance as well as the indoor PE staircase, both of which should be open by October.

The newly renovated day-use change rooms in the Max Bell Regional Aquatic Centre should also be operational by early October. The nearby underground Physical Education Tunnel re-opened just prior to the first day of classes.

The new sports medicine clinic in PE100, the area below the south end of the running track, is on schedule to open by the end of September. Once complete, the clinic will feature physiotherapy and exam rooms, treatment areas and doctor's offices.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Quad north of Markin Hall, featuring a core open space surrounded by small rolling hills, well-lit sidewalks and landscaping should be ready for use by October.

The final details of the parking lot redevelopment will also conclude later this month. The lots have been redesigned to offer more practical parking and improve pedestrian safety. Phase 2 of the parking lot project will get underway in spring 2013.

Perhaps the biggest project on campus, the ongoing construction of the 259-bed Aperture Park residence is on schedule and set to open July 2013.

Off campus, the downtown Penny Building will undergo renovations starting mid-September.

Details on these projects can be found at www.uleth.ca/facilities.

For more information on any of these projects, contact Brian Sullivan at 403-329-2592.

This story first appeared in the September 2012 issue of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Day-use change rooms to close in Wellness Centre

trevor.kenney — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 17:00:00 +0000

The 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness continues to be the site of a flurry of construction.

Renovations to the Wellness Centre and the core of the PE Building - that hasn't been touched in 40 years - aim to create a more cohesive environment between the two facilities.

Construction on the day-use change rooms on the aquatic centre side of the building begin Monday, July 30, meaning those change rooms will be closed until renovations are complete at the end of September.

The public will be able to access the Max Bell Aquatic Centre through the main members' change room and the family change room. There are plenty of day-use lockers available in the family change room.

In addition to the mechanical, electrical and infrastructure upgrades inside the walls, the change rooms will receive a complete overhaul with new wall and floor tiles and new bathroom fixtures including mirrors and vanities. The showers will also be reconfigured and updated to match the look of the Wellness Centre shower areas.

For information about the facilities at the Wellness Centre call the Recreational Service Desk at 403-329-2706.
For information about the project call Jason Baranec at 403-329-2703, or e-mail jason.baranec@uleth.ca.

Wellness Centre ready for summer projects

trevor.kenney — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:55:33 +0000

The 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness has been a welcome modern addition to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Physical Education building, but not much has changed to the core of the nearly 40-year-old facility. That will change over the summer as the PE building gets a facelift.

Beginning in early May, the existing mechanical and electrical systems will be upgraded, as well as some much needed renovations to several areas of Levels 0, 1 and 2.

"It'll be a much more comfortable facility in terms of climate. It's going to be significantly brighter," says project manager Jason Baranec.

The interior of the old Physical Education Building will be brought up to standards with the new section of the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness.

Aside from a few minor restorations, the PE building hasn't changed since the 1970s when it was first built. When complete, the renovations will reflect the Wellness Centre, creating a more cohesive environment.

"The driver for this project is the mechanical, electrical and infrastructure upgrades, and then we're doing what we can architecturally to make it look as though the Wellness Centre and the PE building were all built at the same time," says Baranec.

Renovations include new doors and exteriors to the southeast, southwest and northeast entrances, and linear solar tubes, similar to skylights, which will illuminate the main concrete staircase in the PE building.

"It achieves the same purpose as a skylight except without having to cut too much concrete," says Baranec. "There's going to be a lot of natural daylight."

The kinesiology research labs on Level 2 will also be updated with new paint, lighting and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems. Offices on the same level will receive new flooring in addition to the upgrades. Room PE250 will get new windows, and PE275 will see new carpet and millwork. Day-use change rooms on Level 1 will also get an overhaul. The addition of "info walls" which integrate seating and bulletin boards will provide more gathering spaces in the building.

The majority of the work is expected to be complete before the start of classes in September.

The project was made possible with a $5.6 million grant from the Alberta government.

New access points will be created, including ramp access, to the southwest entrance.

The creation of a new sports medicine clinic is another construction highlight happening in the Wellness Centre this summer.

The clinic will be located in the PE100 space below the south end of the running track. Once complete, it will house up to four physicians and associated support staff. The space will feature physiotherapy and exam rooms, treatment areas and doctor's offices.

Project Manager Gene Lublinkhof says the clinic has always been in the plans for the Centre.

"There was space allotted for it from day one," he says.

As with the PE building renovations, the clinic's design will also reflect the rest of the Wellness Centre façade. Construction is slated to begin in May, with completion anticipated in the fall.

Although construction on both projects will be ongoing throughout the summer, arrangements have been made to cease work during Convocation and the Alberta Summer Games to avoid disruption.

For more information call Baranec at 403-329-2703, or email jason.baranec@uleth.ca. Lublinkhof can be reached at 403-380-1869 or gene.lublinkhof@uleth.ca

This story first appeared in the May issue of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

UNews - PE Building

Moving forward brings change

Library roof

West parking lots

UCA North Patio

Food Services

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Summer campus projects give new look

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Day-use change rooms to close in Wellness Centre

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Wellness Centre ready for summer projects

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