Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Entrepreneurship & Innovation Centre key part of a plan to beautify and modernize the campus

From a net-zero-energy space for budding entrepreneurs to an Indigenous solstice lounge and bright new wellness centre, Western’s building plans for the coming year will help transform campus into a more sustainable, inclusive place.

The work also includes a “massive transformation” to outdoor pathways and designed gathering areas, through Western’s Open Space strategy.

“We want to be ready for the next century, to be good stewards of this beautiful campus – and to do that, we have to make strategic investments,” said Lynn Logan, vice-president (operations and finance).

Overall, capital investments approved by Board of Governors for the coming year will total $153 million, including $55.4 million on new construction and $34.5 million for major renovations.

Some of the more-than-300 capital projects scheduled for this year are large: the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre; retrofitting Thames Hall and D.B. Weldon Library; new student space in Somerville House as well as planning for a new Gathering Hub on the east end of campus; repurposing the education library into an Indigenous learning space; and beautifying open spaces.

Others – such as replacing chillers at the Imaging Pathogens for Knowledge Translation (ImPaKT) facility; replacing the track and turf at TD Stadium; and a classroom addition at the Labatt Health Sciences Building – are smaller but no less important.

Logan said the overarching purpose of each is to support the university’s teaching, learning, and research mission and improve the student experience, now and in the future.

Elizabeth Krische, associate vice-president (facilities management), said,  “The projects are all intended to grow, modernize and beautify the amenities we have for students, faculty, and staff. We’re repurposing some spaces and building new ones as we plan for a campus that will serve everyone well for this generation and generations to come.”

Krische added, “If there’s a predominant theme, inside and out, it’s a focus on more and better open spaces. Even the new and repurposed buildings have lots of natural light and that makes a huge difference.”

source: Western News