UNews - ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts

Flood recovery update

trevor.kenney — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 17:02:42 +0000

Flood Message – Monday, June 10, 2013

As you are aware, on the evening of June 5, 2013, a significant flood occurred at the Lethbridge campus leading to the closing of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts (UCA) and the Library. Recovery work led by Facilities, with the support of restoration companies, is continuing and great efforts were made over the weekend to enable the reopening of both facilities this morning.

Power, water, life safety systems and IT services have been restored to both UCA and the Library. The UCA has been reopened to the public, as have levels 10 and 11 of the Library. Level 9 will be closed for the foreseeable future.

Affected staff and faculty members who work in the UCA and Library will continue to receive detailed updates by email as work continues. All currently scheduled classes for the UCA and Library have been relocated.

Once again, I want to thank our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community for its efforts in mitigating damage during the night of the flood and for the tremendous work that has occurred during this recovery stage. The dedication and competency of our staff and faculty is truly impressive and I am proud that our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is able to pull together in the face of adversity.

Dr. Mike Mahon
President and Vice-Chancellor

Update on flood information

trevor.kenney — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 04:04:10 +0000

June 6, 2013 – 10 p.m.

Due to the flooding that occurred the evening of June 5, 2013, the Library and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts (UCA) will remain closed for public access until Monday, June 10, 2013.

In addition, faculty and staff who work in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts (UCA) will unfortunately not be permitted access to their offices or workspaces in UCA on Friday, June 7, 2013. It is requested that these faculty and staff stay home on Friday, June 7.

Staff who work in the Library and Librarians are requested to look to communication from the Acting Head Librarian regarding activities for Friday, June 7.

Personnel from Facilities, with support from three restoration companies, are continuing their work to restore electrical, ventilation and life safety systems in both facilities as well as remove any residual water and hazards remaining from the flood. While we appreciate and understand the desire for faculty, staff and students to access their workspaces in these facilities, we do ask that you respect these closures. Every effort is being made to restore both facilities to full operation as soon as possible but in a safe manner.

As noted earlier, both UCA and the Library remain closed for public access. Classes that were scheduled in those facilities have been relocated for June 7. Students will have received notification from their Instructor or from the Registrar's Office.

IT staff have restored all email service for faculty, staff and students and issues with posting to the website of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ have been resolved too.

Students, staff and faculty are encouraged to continue to watch their uleth.ca e-mail accounts as specific information pertaining to class schedules, university services and recovery efforts will continue to be shared via e-mail and at www.uleth.ca/notice.

I would like to thank all faculty, staff and students for your patience and express my sincere thanks to all members of our community who have worked very hard to ensure that our response has been focused on people and safety.

Thank you.

Dr. Mike Mahon
President and Vice Chancellor

U of L cleaning up following flood event

trevor.kenney — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 22:35:57 +0000

June 6, 2013 - 4:35 p.m.

During the evening of June 5, 2013, a significant water-main break occurred at the construction site adjacent to the Students' Union Building at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's main campus.

As a result, major flooding occurred in the Library and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts.

Due to the immediate extent of the flooding, classes in the Library and the Centre for the Arts scheduled for Thursday, June 6, 2013 have been cancelled. Classes located in buildings other than those affected by the flooding are taking place as scheduled.

Employees who work in the Library and the Centre for the Arts are asked not to access their workspaces until further notice.

Students, staff and faculty are also encouraged to watch their uleth.ca e-mail accounts as specific information pertaining to class schedules, university services and recovery efforts will be shared in the coming days. Email service for faculty, staff and students has been fully restored.

Art that moves you

trevor.kenney — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:03:18 +0000

What was an ordinary walk to the washroom on Level 6 of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts is now anything but mundane.

The wall flanking the entrance to the U of L Main Gallery used to house a bank of pay phones, but with the removal of this obsolete technology, a great opportunity was afforded.

"I think people can easily agree, the advent of the smart phone has been terrific for the promotion of events and cultural organizations," says Dr. Josephine Mills, director/curator of the U of L Art Gallery. "For the gallery, changes in technology have meant another less obvious boon to our visibility."

The gallery quickly called dibs on the now vacant space.

"We requested a renovation that included the gallery-standard drywall over three-quarter inch plywood backing so that the wall could support hanging objects in frames, and we had the foresight to build in electrical and Internet connections," explains Mills. "Spurred by successful student design projects I had seen around campus, I initiated a call for proposals from new media students and faculty to create something for the new wall to raise the profile of the main art gallery."

The interactive wall located just outside the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Art Gallery allows people to immerse themselves in the art.

She assumed she would get ideas that involved applying vinyl or other traditional options to the wall.

"Instead, new media faculty members Leanne Elias, Dana Cooley and Carl Spencer, delighted and surprised me with a fabulously innovative idea to install an interactive projection, which was then developed by BFA New Media major Brendan Matkin," says Mills.

The playful interactive installation grabs attention as anyone walking by accidently sets the letters projected onto the wall dancing.

"With this collaborative project we wanted to try something new and different," says Matkin. "We wanted to promote the gallery, motivate others to realize this is a creative opportunity and have some fun."

Several people were involved with the project.

"We started planning in December and the hard work started in January," says Matkin. "In addition to Leanne, Dana and Carl, fellow student Alyssa Buck was an advisor on the project."

Matkin did the actual project development and worked with the open source Processing environment.

"We used a short-throw projector and Xbox Kinect and were able to overcome a few technical glitches," he says with a smile. "It's been a terrific learning experience."

Explaining how it works to a layperson, Matkin says, "Each letter interacts with the others as well as the digital shadow of people coming into the field. Gravity is used to
attract the letters back to their home position; however, to make the letters behave in a convincing manner, I used about 500 times normal gravity. The physics engine is the same as for Angry Birds."

Leanne Elias is pleased with the results of the project and its future potential.

"We are wildly excited about this project because it points towards new directions in interactive media," she says. "And the fact that this was a student-driven project makes it just that much more exciting."

She adds that several students, including Matkin, are going with her to the SXSW International Conference.

"Going to this interactive conference exposes our students to things we can't even imagine – truly cutting-edge technology."

Mills is excited about the future of the wall.

"Brendan created a superb inaugural project and, with the system in place, we are looking forward to further proposals for ideas to promote the gallery and our exhibitions and programs," she says.

The Art Gallery would like to thank the experts in the U of L Department of Facilities (Jim Vanderzee, Bill Hudains, Mick Nutley, Al Mueller, Paul Peterson) for their work in renovating the wall and installing the technology.

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

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.

Holiday building hours in effect

trevor.kenney — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 16:57:20 +0000

The 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness is open during the holidays!

Please visit the Sport and Recreation Website for their holiday hours: http://www.uleth.ca/sportrec/

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Security is available 24 hours over the holiday break (403-329-2345).

BUILDING LOCATIONS AND OPERATING HOURS / ACCESS POINTS

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall

Dec.21-Jan.1, 2013 (inclusive)
North Entrance-Level 6 Open 24 hours
Level 4 B 7:00 am - 7:00 pm

Jan. 2, 2013
All Entrances Open 5:00 am (open 24 hours)
**
��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts

Illingworth Kerr, Winter From the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Collection. Gift of Jim Coutts, 2010.

Dec.21 - Jan.1, 2013 (incl.)
Level 4 Entrance Open 7:00 am - 7:00 pm

Jan. 2, 2013
All Entrances Open 5:00 am (open 24 hours)
**
Library Building

Dec.21 - Jan.1, 2013 (incl.)
West Entrance Open 24 hours

Jan. 2, 2013
All Entrances Open 5:00 am (open 24 hours)
**
1st Choice Savings - CSW

Dec.21-24, & 26-31 2012
North & South Entrances Open 24 hours

Dec 25, 2012 and Jan.1, 2013 CLOSED

Jan. 2, 2013
All Entrances 5:00 am (open 24 hours)
**
Students' Union Building

Dec.21 - Jan.1, 2013 (incl.)
All Entrances Closed

Jan. 2, 2013
All Entrances 5:00 am Open
**
Anderson Hall

Dec.21 - Jan.1, 2013 (incl.)
All Entrances Closed

Jan. 2, 2013
All Entrances 5:00 am Open
**
Turcotte Hall

Dec.21 - Jan.1, 2013 (incl.)
Old Turcotte Hall CLOSED
West Sliding Door Open 24 Hours

Jan. 2, 2013
All Entrances Open 5:00 am (open 24 hours)
**
CCBN/AWESB

Dec.21 - Jan.1, 2013 (incl.)
All Entrances Closed
**
Markin Hall

Dec.21 - Jan.1, 2013 (incl.)
All Entrances Closed

Jan. 2, 2013
All Entrances OPENED
**
Regular building hours begin January 2, 2013. Regular department hours begin on January 2, 2013

Holiday building hours

trevor.kenney — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 16:43:04 +0000

This artwork appears in the U of L Art Collection and was a gift from Jim Coutts. Illingworth Kerr, Winter From the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Collection. Gift of Jim Coutts, 2010.

Dec.21 - Jan.1, 2013 (incl.)
Level 4 Entrance Open 7:00 am - 7:00 pm

Jan. 2, 2013
All Entrances Open 5:00 am (open 24 hours)
**
Library Building

Dec.21 - Jan.1, 2013 (incl.)
West Entrance Open 24 hours

Jan. 2, 2013
All Entrances Open 5:00 am (open 24 hours)
**
1st Choice Savings - CSW

Dec.21-24, & 26-31 2012
North & South Entrances Open 24 hours

Dec 25, 2012 and Jan.1, 2013 CLOSED

Jan. 2, 2013
All Entrances 5:00 am (open 24 hours)
**
Students' Union Building

Dec.21 - Jan.1, 2013 (incl.)
All Entrances Closed

Jan. 2, 2013
All Entrances 5:00 am Open
**
Anderson Hall

Dec.21 - Jan.1, 2013 (incl.)
All Entrances Closed

Jan. 2, 2013
All Entrances 5:00 am Open
**
Turcotte Hall

Dec.21 - Jan.1, 2013 (incl.)
Old Turcotte Hall CLOSED
West Sliding Door Open 24 Hours

Jan. 2, 2013
All Entrances Open 5:00 am (open 24 hours)
**
CCBN/AWESB

Dec.21 - Jan.1, 2013 (incl.)
All Entrances Closed
**
Markin Hall

Dec.21 - Jan.1, 2013 (incl.)
All Entrances Closed

Jan. 2, 2013
All Entrances OPENED
**
Regular building hours begin January 2, 2013. Regular department hours begin on January 2, 2013

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.

Quad construction beginning

trevor.kenney — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:14:03 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ quadrangles, better known as quads, are visible expressions of a university community and can enhance the quality of student, staff and visitor experiences on campus.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge recognizes the importance of preserving public green space, and the Department of Facilities is embarking on the construction of a vibrant and unique outdoor gathering space that should be ready to use by fall 2012.

Construction on the quad will begin in early June with completion expected late August to early September.

Located just north of Markin Hall, at the site of the former track, the new trapezium-shaped courtyard will feature a core open space surrounded on three sides by small rolling hills to accommodate comfortable sitting and lounging, as well as connecting, well-lit sidewalks bordered by trees and plants. Development this summer will include grading and landscaping of the site and installation of sidewalks and lighting. Carl Granzow's Suitcase sculptures will be placed at the southeast section of the quad. The sculptures were once displayed on the south patio on Level 6 of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts.

The proposed quad that will be constructed this summer on the area north of Markin Hall and east of Anderson Hall.

Future construction will include a continuous bench that will frame the perimeter of the core and offer a variety of seating areas.

The quad will function mainly as an open, casual gathering space with the ability to support various activities throughout the year. Its design allows the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to maintain its commitment to sustainable development while creating an iconic destination on campus. It also incorporates a storm water management system where low areas can capture and use storm water from the site and adjacent areas. These areas will contain a limited amount of maintained grass to allow more natural vegetation to grow.

Wind protection has also been considered for the site, which opens the door for collaboration with the art community to incorporate functional art as a wind shelter.

For more information on this project contact Dick Lutwick at 403-329-2640 or lutwick@uleth.ca.

Professor Emeritus Spinks passes away

trevor.kenney — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:34:57 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community expresses its most sincere condolences to the family, friends, former students and colleagues of the late David Spinks, a Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Fine Arts (Theatre and Dramatic Arts) who passed away at his home in England at age 81 after a brief illness.

He is survived by his wife, Jo, and daughter Elisabeth. A memorial service is scheduled to take place July 4 beginning at 3 p.m. near Martlesham Heath at the Seven Hills Crematorium in Nacton, UK.

Spinks arrived from England in 1971 as the first regular faculty member in Dramatic Arts. He had distinguished himself in drama and education in England, teaching for Cambridge ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and producing plays for children, youth and adults throughout Cambridgeshire.

His knowledge of, and passion for, theatre combined with his boundless enthusiasm and charismatic personality propelled the department forward at lightning speed. He drafted the first curriculum, integrating it into Arts and Science and hired the first faculty members. Spinks also worked closely with the architects to design the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts theatre spaces, including an experimental theatre which was later named the David Spinks Theatre in his honour.

He was promoted to full professor in 1988 and retired in 1990, in the process earning the respect and love of his students and one of the first Distinguished Teaching Awards.

Dean Emeritus Ches Skinner recalls Spinks as a mentor and friend.

"He had an unrivalled passion for teaching and excelled at helping students find their own voices and then enabled them to find the confidence to use them," says Skinner. "Students flocked to his classes and through David's inimitable style shared in his passion for theatre and particularly that aimed at children and young audiences.

"Whereas David sometimes directed scripted work (plays written by others as found in the library etc.), he was exceptional at encouraging students to find the drama in their own lives and then creating shows that were meaningful to the performers and audiences alike. He left some of his magic behind...I know it continues via his students and teaching colleagues."

"David Spinks was a gentleman of good humour, intelligence and extraordinary generosity," says long-time colleague Richard Epp. "His leadership as a teacher and his encouragement of colleagues permitted the arts to play a major role on this campus in its formative years. I am privileged to have known David and to have worked with him in the dramatic arts."

UNews - ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts

Flood recovery update

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Update on flood information

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U of L cleaning up following flood event

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Art that moves you

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Moving forward brings change

Library roof

West parking lots

UCA North Patio

Food Services

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Holiday building hours in effect

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Holiday building hours

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Summer campus projects give new look

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Quad construction beginning

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Professor Emeritus Spinks passes away

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UNews - ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts