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April 21, 2000
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Volume 7, Number 15 |
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GENERAL |
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Plans being made for College Bldg. restoration
With potential funding sources on the horizon, the U of S is proceeding with plans to renovate the College Building – the 88-year-old heritage landmark on campus that has been closed since November 1997 because of its dangerous state of repair. Tony Whitworth, Vice-President of Finance and Resources, confirmed April 14 "we are proceeding with contingency planning, in the expectation of some funding." The University has made application for $6 million in funding from the federal government’s Canada Millennium Partnership Program, for major renovation to the central Convocation Hall in the building. U of S Pres. Peter MacKinnon says he expects word of the success of the application by mid-May, though much less than the total request may be granted. Also, MacKinnon says the University will seek funding under the new Centenary Capital Fund announced in the recent provincial budget, which provides up to $5 million per category each year for four years in six categories, including education institutions and heritage properties. When the building was closed, a recommendation was made that a plan be set for restoring it, or else the building might have to be condemned. "We’ve got consultants looking at how the renovation would take place," including an architectural plan "to make the building usable, but retain its heritage characteristics," Whitworth says. He says the renovated building will add about 34,000 sq.ft. of space, which would relieve some space pressures around campus, and which would add Convocation Hall as a large venue for music functions, meetings and the like. Whitworth says the funding being sought for the College Building isn’t taking away from other projects, since it is money that would not have been available for other uses. A national survey released April 10 by the Canadian Association of University Business Officers said universities urgently need $3.6-billion in building repairs. CAUBO Chair Duncan Watt says, "The survey confirms our worst fears" – that the deterioration threatens universities’ ability to carry out its teaching and research roles. Estimates two years ago suggested College Building repairs would cost $20 million.
For further information, visit the web site or contact communications@usask.ca
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Next issue of On Campus News: Friday, May 5
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