The building is 98% completed and first occupants are moving in. take a look at the spring 2019 photo tour gallery
In 2019, the University of Lethbridge will experience a shift that will launch us into the future of transdisciplinary research, enhanced by the supportive environment of the Science and Academic Building. However, this campus won’t be isolated in the ripple effect the addition of this transformational space for learning and research will cause. Nestled in the centre of Alberta’s agriculture industry, this building and its activities will strengthen the connection to the local industries that are making an impact nationwide.
Local potato growers and processors tour the Science and Academic Building
Our local potato growers and processors represent one such industry, and 45 of them were on campus for the Potato Research Laboratory Open House. As part of the Open House, they toured the Science and Academic Building and witnessed the spaces where their research needs will come to life.
Thomas McDade, Agricultural Director with Potato Growers of Alberta (PGA), was impacted by the building’s innovative use of space.
“I was quite impressed by how usable, workable and collaborative the space is intended to be. It appears to be a really great place to work and it’s definitely state of the art.”
One of the largest investments into research the PGA and local potato processors (Cavendish Farms, Lamb Weston and McCain Foods) are making into the local potato industry is sponsoring the Potato Chair at the University, Dr. Dmytro Yevtushenko. McDade says moving into the building will expand his ability to collaborate with Dmytro and other scientists in a transdisciplinary environment.
“Because the work is spilling into other spaces, I see the collaboration in this building happening more easily. I think the types of relationships this building will facilitate will be terrific. “
David Hill, Director of Development, Cor Van Raay Southern Alberta Agribusiness Program at the University and participant in the potato grower and processor’s tour, says for those stakeholders, it highlights that the impact of the building goes far beyond this campus.
“It’s an exciting thing to allow them to see the new building because that’s where the research is going. They have a high interest in the fact that the U of L will be graduating students who have knowledge of the area and industry.”
And as the building is becoming part of the southern Alberta landscape, the work that it’s capable of facilitating has great potential to shape the local agricultural landscape as well.
Construction is progressing quickly inside the Destination Project, Phase I. This summer photo tour shows you how labs are taking shape, offices are carpeted, and finishes are getting installed on floors, ceilings and walls. The flurry of activity outdoors has almost completely moved indoors as almost 500 workers construct the Science and Academic Building.
University of Lethbridge President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Mike Mahon, addresses faculty and staff about what's happening at the U of L
As we near the end of the fall semester and turn our focus to a well-earned Christmas break, I’d like to thank everyone for your contributions to what has been an excellent year at the U of L.
The signals the U of L is receiving from the provincial government suggest that another challenging budget is on the horizon.
Your commitment to teaching and supporting our students and each other throughout the year is what creates such a positive atmosphere here at the University and what drives our institution forward.
As we look ahead to 2015, the signals we are receiving from the provincial government suggest that we likely will be facing another challenging budget. Given the current price of oil, and the corresponding impact on provincial revenues as well as the subsequent impact on the Alberta economy, this is hardly surprising but remains a tough reality to face.
In recent weeks, we have been advocating to the government that the post-secondary sector is still recovering from the extremely difficult budget we went through two years ago. We were forced to make some very difficult decisions at that time and are still not back to the level we were financially before going through that budget cycle.
As well, our universities must remain at the forefront of innovation. It is this innovation agenda that will enable Alberta to build a knowledge-based economy and to move beyond the cyclical challenges posed by a provincial budget built off of resource revenues.
While we have not yet been provided any specifics about our 2015/16 operating grant, we are working through budget scenarios at the University that once again include reductions. Through this, I will be as transparent as possible and communicate regularly as more information presents itself and as we work through our own budgeting process. When we faced earlier reductions, we were guided by three values:
1. Our people define our University and are our greatest strength
2. High quality is central to all that we do
3. Access to our University is a fundamental belief
Through the preparation of our budget for 2015/16, we will remain committed to these values.
As we continue to liaise with the provincial government about the importance of further investing in a knowledge-based economy, we are pushing hard to maintain the momentum of the Destination Project. Just last week we announced the final design selection for the Science and Academic Building and have continued to impress upon the government how vital it is for this project to continue moving forward.
The fact that the University maintained its vision and was clearly focused on continuing to achieve its strategic goals through a difficult budget two years ago, was testament to the people here at the U of L and their commitment to providing a quality educational experience for students.
That attitude persists today and I trust that we will once again take a very thoughtful and purposeful approach to working with the budget as it is presented.
There will always be ebbs and flows when it comes to the operating funds available to the University, and while we continue to find ways to manage the numbers to maintain an exceptional experience for our students, we are advocating for a stable funding model that recognizes the invaluable role that the post-secondary sector plays in building our provincial economy.
We are able to do this because of the quality people we have working on our campuses. In recent weeks you were asked to fill out a survey related to the People Plan and I thank those who took the time to respond. The People Plan is very important because it is designed to help us maintain our commitment to the quality of the U of L through maintaining our commitment to our people. A strong institution is built on having solid supports for the individuals who drive the institution and the People Plan is dedicated to this.
We may be facing a difficult budget in the coming months but I am confident in the way we have responded in the past and how our people have always been at the heart of pushing the U of L forward. We continue to progress as an institution, our reputation continues to grow provincially, nationally and beyond, and I see our people leading us through once again in the new year.
Source: Unews
Last week, the University of Lethbridge unveiled The Hub as the design choice for the future Science and Academic Building as part of Destination Project.
This week, KPMB/Stantec Architects are back on campus working with the Integrated Design Committee, composed of U of L administrators and faculty members from across science departments, to make key decisions as to how the interior of the building will take shape.
“These decisions will define how we can achieve our primary objectives and create a world-class facility that will engage our faculty, students and the community for generations to come,” says U of L provost Dr. Andy Hakin.
The task at hand this week is to organize the space horizontally and vertically. Classroom, offices and labs spaces, which comprise approximately 80 per cent of the building, have been assigned, and secondary support spaces will now be discussed.
“It’s a lengthy process,” says Hakin. “It builds from one session to the next, and is ongoing, fluid and evolving. We are visioning science for the future.”
A key theme guiding the planning process is trans-disciplinary research and collaboration.
“We are envisioning scientists and researchers working together to share resources and expertise outside of their traditional disciplines to achieve a common scientific goal,” explains Dr. Craig Cooper, Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science. “Research benefits from different perspectives, different approaches. Students learn from and appreciate the value of work done by other disciplines, creating well-rounded individuals. It benefits students and researchers by allowing them to place their work in a greater context.”
The new Science and Academic Building will allow faculty to more easily incorporate modern teaching methodologies into evolving curriculums. It aims to enhance and support entrepreneurship through the training of students in leading-edge teaching and research laboratories and will provide high quality space to foster industry collaboration and potentially the development of new companies. It will also contain a state-of-the-art, highly sustainable energy centre that will serve the entire U of L campus.
To stay up to date, visit: destination-project.uleth.ca
Source: Unews
The University of Lethbridge has chosen a design option for a new Science and Academic Building as part of the University’s Destination Project.
The Hub, a concept that creates a vibrant core in the heart of the building where paths between laboratory blocks and the general campus intersect, was recently approved by the U of L’s Board of Governors from three proposed massing options shared with the community earlier this fall.
The new building aims to enhance and support entrepreneurship through the training of students in leading edge teaching and research laboratories.
“This is a significant milestone in our process and to see our planning efforts beginning to take form is extremely exciting,” says University of Lethbridge President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Mike Mahon. “This new building will move our institution forward in a transformational way and provide significant opportunities for students, faculty, staff and the southern Alberta community.”
KPMB/Stantec Architects and the Destination Project Steering Committee developed three massing options before presenting them to the community in early September.
Over the course of developing the three design options, five project charter goals for the Science and Academic Building were considered. They included: Connection to Campus & Community; Enable Transdisciplinary Learning and Research; Provide a Supportive Environment; Incorporate Sustainable Design; and Create Signature Architecture.
The new Academic and Science Building will serve as a catalyst in attracting leading faculty and high-achieving students to the U of L’s already outstanding academic and research programs.
“Selecting between the options that were presented to us by KPMB/Stantec Architects was difficult, but The Hub concept best incorporated goals of the project charter identified by the Destination Project Steering Committee,” says Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Dr. Andrew Hakin. “The design encourages interaction and collaboration between faculty, students and the community, while the building respects the wonderful coulee landscape presented by the Oldman River valley and our campus.”
Community feedback forums were held over the past month before the Destination Project Steering Committee made a final recommendation to the Board of Governors.
“To reach this stage of the planning process is exciting and a little daunting,” adds Hakin. “It’s exciting because we have a broad concept in The Hub from which to work. The daunting part is now before us, where we will make the key decisions as to how the interior of the building will take shape. These decisions will define how we can achieve our primary objectives and create a world-class facility that will engage our faculty, students and the community for generations to come.”
The new Academic and Science Building will serve as a catalyst in attracting leading faculty and high-achieving students to the U of L’s already outstanding academic and research programs. Further, new science facilities will allow instructors to more easily incorporate modern teaching methodologies into evolving curriculums.
The new building aims to enhance and support entrepreneurship through the training of students in leading edge teaching and research laboratories and will provide high quality space to foster industry collaboration and potentially the development of new companies. It will also contain a state-of-the-art, highly sustainable energy centre that will serve the entire U of L campus.
The Government of Alberta has invested $12.5 million towards the planning process of the Destination Project, and in December 2013, announced a $200-million commitment towards construction.
For more information about the project, visit the Destination Project website.
Source: Unews
The University of Lethbridge has chosen a design option for a new Science and Academic Building as part of the University’s Destination Project.
The Hub, a concept that creates a vibrant core in the heart of the building where paths between laboratory blocks and the general campus intersect, was recently approved by the U of L’s Board of Governors from three proposed massing options shared with the community earlier this fall.
The new building aims to enhance and support entrepreneurship through the training of students in leading edge teaching and research laboratories.
“This is a significant milestone in our process and to see our planning efforts beginning to take form is extremely exciting,” says University of Lethbridge President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Mike Mahon. “This new building will move our institution forward in a transformational way and provide significant opportunities for students, faculty, staff and the southern Alberta community.”
KPMB/Stantec Architects and the Destination Project Steering Committee developed three massing options before presenting them to the community in early September.
Over the course of developing the three design options, five project charter goals for the Science and Academic Building were considered. They included: Connection to Campus & Community; Enable Transdisciplinary Learning and Research; Provide a Supportive Environment; Incorporate Sustainable Design; and Create Signature Architecture.
The new Academic and Science Building will serve as a catalyst in attracting leading faculty and high-achieving students to the U of L’s already outstanding academic and research programs.
“Selecting between the options that were presented to us by KPMB/Stantec Architects was difficult, but The Hub concept best incorporated goals of the project charter identified by the Destination Project Steering Committee,” says Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Dr. Andrew Hakin. “The design encourages interaction and collaboration between faculty, students and the community, while the building respects the wonderful coulee landscape presented by the Oldman River valley and our campus.”
Community feedback forums were held over the past month before the Destination Project Steering Committee made a final recommendation to the Board of Governors.
“To reach this stage of the planning process is exciting and a little daunting,” adds Hakin. “It’s exciting because we have a broad concept in The Hub from which to work. The daunting part is now before us, where we will make the key decisions as to how the interior of the building will take shape. These decisions will define how we can achieve our primary objectives and create a world-class facility that will engage our faculty, students and the community for generations to come.”
The new Academic and Science Building will serve as a catalyst in attracting leading faculty and high-achieving students to the U of L’s already outstanding academic and research programs. Further, new science facilities will allow instructors to more easily incorporate modern teaching methodologies into evolving curriculums.
The new building aims to enhance and support entrepreneurship through the training of students in leading edge teaching and research laboratories and will provide high quality space to foster industry collaboration and potentially the development of new companies. It will also contain a state-of-the-art, highly sustainable energy centre that will serve the entire U of L campus.
The Government of Alberta has invested $12.5 million towards the planning process of the Destination Project, and in December 2013, announced a $200-million commitment towards construction.
For more information about the project, visit the Destination Project website.
Related Content
Source: Unews
If you've noticed a fleet of vehicles stationed around the University of Lethbridge campus over the past few days, you are likely wondering about their purpose.
The U of L is currently in the planning stages for the Destination Project, a transformational construction project that will shape the future of the University campus for the next 50 years. The creation of a new Science and Academic Building, along with a new utility/energy centre is a massive undertaking and will require the elimination of parking Lot K.
Vehicles are currently stationed around campus conducting a study that will determine vehicle traffic patterns. The collected data will determine initial parking requirements during construction of the Destination Project. In addition, the study will provide alternatives to alleviate congestion and delays along Valley Road.
Source: Unews
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