It’s a New Year which means a new list of campus enhancing activities is being planned by the Facilities department.
The Project Management Office (PMO) is gearing up for next summer’s construction season with several projects aimed to improve campus life for the University community.
The new residence in Aperture Park will open in August 2013. The last sections of concrete pouring for the 259-bed facility has already taken place which means the two cranes have been taken down from the site. The pouring of the residence roof on Dec. 12 was a significant milestone for the construction crew and we were happy to have the University Board of Governors take in a tour of the site the following day.
Some interior walls on the lower levels of the building have already been raised, but with the roof now complete, more interior work such as windows and walls will get underway. Housing is already taking applications for returning students.
Read more about what the residence will look like at, http://www.uleth.ca/unews/content/sneak-preview-and-feedback-new-campus-residence.
Another big project taking place is the PE underground tunnel rehabilitation and south plaza replacement. Construction is set to begin in May and run through to the end of the year.
The project addresses necessary infrastructure upgrades including tunnel leak repairs as well as work to improve the air quality and lighting. The tunnel murals should be preserved unless unforeseen circumstances arise.
Work on the south plaza will see about 1,500 sq. m. of concrete removed and re-poured along the exterior of the Max Bell Aquatic Centre and Student’s Union Building up to the north side of the library and rotunda (see image).
Because the area above the tunnel cannot withstand more than 10,000 lbs. of weight, the underground tunnel will be closed throughout the duration of the project to allow the coordination of heavy duty excavation equipment.
The Aperture Drive bus loop and Lot D with the loop will be also closed during construction. A new, temporary bus route will be planned in conjunction with the City of Lethbridge. The new route will be announced when it is finalized.
The tunnel will remain closed during both June and October convocations. More details regarding this project will be released as it becomes available.
The final phase of the Parking Lot Redevelopment Project will also get underway this summer. The project includes paving Lots E and G, installing landscaping and trees, and the construction of storm water management and drainage systems.