The UBC Board of Governors has approved a $18.4 million (including
special equipment) construction plan to accommodate 900 new
student spaces when UBC Okanagan opens in September 2005.
With construction set to begin next month, the plan will
add one more floor each to the current Okanagan University
College (OUC) Arts and Sciences buildings, creating 3,300
and 3,000 square meters respectively of new space on the OUC
North Kelowna campus that will become the site of UBC Okanagan.
“The plan is an important first step in our commitment
to significantly increase university access for Okanagan students,”
said UBC President Martha Piper. “The new space will
help us to achieve our vision of a vibrant learning and research
environment — a campus of choice that will attract and serve
outstanding students and faculty.”
UBC’s transition team headed by Barry McBride, Deputy
Vice Chancellor and Vice President, Academic for UBC Okanagan,
has been working extensively with OUC students, faculty and
staff since a decision was announced in March to integrate
OUC degree programs into a new UBC Okanagan campus. Intensive
academic and campus planning efforts will increase university
spaces to 3,900 in Fall 2005. UBC Okanagan will grow to 7,500
students, including 500 graduate students, by 2009.
“I am grateful for this exceptional collaborative effort,”
said McBride. “In a very short timeframe, members of
the OUC’s campus planning staff have pulled together
with UBC’s planning team to provide an expansion plan
that will meet our need to serve more students in 2005. Thanks
to their hard work, we have achieved another key milestone
in the transition.”
Aidan Kiernan, OUC Associate Vice President, Campus Development
and Facility Management, said the new campus space will be
designed with maximum flexibility to allow for classrooms
and offices for an anticipated 45-80 new faculty and related
support staff, as academic program plans unfold over the next
months.
“In addition to creating new teaching, research and
office space, the third-floor additions will provide social
space for students to congregate and relax. This is an important
part of enhancing the university learning experience,”
said Kiernan.
The current OUC Arts and Sciences buildings were originally
constructed with the capability of being expanded by one floor
each. Plans envision completing the outer building shells
by December 2004, and interior design by August 2005. The
following Okanagan consultants have been approved for the
project:
Architecture – HMA Architects Ltd.
Structural – CWMM Engineering, MSS Engineering
Mechanical – Stantec Ltd.
Electrical – Falcan Engineering Ltd.
Through the early transition phase, UBC has also been consulting
widely with regional communities through Town Hall meetings.
A President’s Advisory Council, comprised of regional
leaders, has been struck to guide development and implementation
of programs that will serve the area.
* Funding for the project includes contributions from OUC
and the Ministry of Advanced Education (subject to Treasury
Board approval), as part of $80 million in capital funding
the province has dedicated to UBC Okanagan.
For updates on the transition, visit www.okanagan.ubc.ca.
* Correction as of July 22, 2004.
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