UNews - electrical systems

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.

Campus promises to be full of activity over summer

trevor.kenney — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:11:28 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Facilities Department is gearing up for another productive construction season this summer.

Redevelopment of the campus's western parking lots is set to begin in a few weeks, beginning with the creation of a new entranceway at the northwest corner of Lot E.

This is just the beginning of the project that will give a facelift to Lots E, F, FS and G along Anderson Hall and the 1st Choice Savings Centre. The result will be more practical parking and the addition of environmentally sustainable and aesthetically pleasing landscaping.

The revamped design of the parking lots includes bio swales (drainage) and windbreaks, along with improved lighting, security and safety measures for vehicle and pedestrian traffic. The design also addresses storm water management and drainage issues to prevent occurrences such as the flooding that took place in July 2008 at the Wellness Centre.

The $2.5 million project will be completed over the summer. Parking access will be provided away from construction while the project is underway.

Construction is ahead of schedule on the new residence structure.

Construction of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Quad just north of Markin Hall is also on the summer construction agenda. The public greenspace will feature small rolling hills, plants, water gardens, benches, connecting sidewalks, and other amenities. The project should be completed this fall.

In early May, the start of construction for a new Sports Medicine Clinic in the Wellness Centre PE100 will begin. The clinic will house four physicians and related support services with space for physiotherapy, exam rooms, a treatment area and offices for doctors and administrative staff. The project should be finished by the end of August.

Upgrading to the existing mechanical and electrical systems in the centre core of the Wellness Centre will take place from May to September. Construction will work around events such as Spring Convocation and the Alberta Summer Games to avoid any disruption of these activities. Renovations of Levels 0, 1 and 2, including the southeast entrance to the Wellness Centre will also take place at this time.

While under repair, the Physical Education Tunnel will be closed from June 4 until late September.

Meanwhile, the third phase of the Aperture Park housing facility is proceeding ahead of schedule. Concrete work is expected to be completed by late fall with the building scheduled to open in July 2013.

Other planned summer projects include replacing weeping tile along the Breezeway, upgrading the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems, and compartmentalizing firewalls and upgrading the fire alarm system in ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall.

Power outage Sunday, Apr. 8

trevor.kenney — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:33:31 +0000

There will be intermittent power disruptions throughout the Physical Education Building between the hours of 7 and 10 a.m. on Sunday, Apr. 8.

The power disruptions will include electrical systems and lighting. Facilities personnel will be on hand to ensure circuits are de-energized and re-energized appropriately and as required.

These planned outages will serve to clarify those systems which will be impacted during the Physical Education Building Upgrade renovation planned for summer 2012.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact Jason Baranec, project manager, at 403-329-2703.

Government of Alberta Provides $5.6 Million for Facility Upgrades

trevor.kenney — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:34:28 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge officials and the Hon. Greg Weadick, Minister of Advanced Education and Technology and MLA, Lethbridge West, have jointly announced a $5.6 million in capital maintenance and renewal funding to support infrastructure upgrades to the original ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Physical Education building, which is now part of the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness.

"New buildings are just one part of the equation when it comes to creating welcoming and functional post-secondary campuses," said Minister Weadick.

"We also need to invest in the existing buildings. With these upgrades, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is preserving a little bit of its past and preparing the Physical Education building for future generations of students."

The now 40-year-old facility was built in 1971. Some parts of the building were renovated during the construction of the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness (which opened in 2008) while other projects were put on hold until additional funding was available.

"The funding will address some deferred maintenance projects, and allow us to keep the facility in top shape by upgrading items such as ventilation, windows, lighting and electrical systems," said U of L President Mike Mahon.

"This will significantly improve the learning and working environment for our students, faculty, staff. I would like to thank Greg and the team at Advanced Education and Technology for supporting this funding initiative."

Work is expected to begin in summer, 2012.

Power outages set for Tuesday, Aug. 17

trevor.kenney — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:55:08 +0000

Scheduled maintenance to a number of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's electrical systems will result in intermittent power outages the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 17.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's electrical department is scheduling maintenance to campus electrical systems from 9 to 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 17.

These tests include:

1. Testing the campus emergency power system. The campus will experience two power interruptions to the emergency electrical system. These interruptions will last for approximately 10-second intervals.

2. A power outage to Level 7 (Section B) is required to install a breaker. This outage will last approximately 45 minutes.

3. Testing of high voltage arc equipment. These tests will result in short, total building power outages to ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Library. The outages will occur a total of four times, lasting a duration of three minutes each.

Any questions or concerns about these planned power interruptions can be directed to Tal Meidinger at 403-329-2712 or via e-mail at meidt0@uleth.ca

UNews - electrical systems

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