University Avenue Campus Ready for Classes this Fall

First Canadian LEED ^?Platinum campus ready for classes this fall

(July 28, 2010) Construction is on schedule for Lakehead - Orillia's new academic building on University Avenue, and the Lakehead community is eagerly anticipating the expansion into new quarters this fall. The facility is Canada's first and only Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED ^®) Platinum university campus.

For the past year, Brian Jeffs, Lakehead's Assistant Vice-President of Administration and Finance, along with colleagues and other members of the project team, have overseen the development of the state-of-the-art facility. "It has been a non-stop project and the action won't slow down once the building is constructed," says Jeffs. Jeffs will continue to work alongside his colleague Kevin Schlyter, architects Moriyama and Teshima, project consultants MHPM, and the Ellis-Don construction team to ensure the facility is ready for the start of classes this September 13.

As construction on the exterior and interior nears completion, the team is busy making sure all systems are ready to go. "Preliminary testing is now taking place," explains Jeffs. "During the next few weeks, we will be checking all the systems within the facility, including mechanical, air quality, and classroom and lab technology." Beginning mid-August, the group will also coordinate the delivery and assembly of all interior furnishings, which need to be ready for use by faculty and staff by August 25.

The landscaping of the grounds is also underway, as is noticeable by the numerous trees now lining the campus entranceways. Native tree species, which have been planted throughout the grounds, offer sponsorship opportunities as part of the Your Bright Future community fundraising campaign. Those who sponsor a tree will be commemorated with a plaque and inscription of the donor's name at a permanent dedication area.

On top of getting the new Academic Building ready for the start of the upcoming school term, the Orillia campus is also embarking on its next construction project - the student residence building. Contractors are now on site, preparing for a groundbreaking that is expected to take place within days. The new residence building, which will accommodate more than 250 students, is located adjacent to the academic building. It will open its doors at the start of the 2011 academic term. Plans are also in place for the construction of a new food services (cafeteria) facility, which will also open in 2011.

While most of the undergraduate students will study at the new University Avenue Academic Building, professional programs including the one-year Bachelor of Education, Masters in Business Administration, and the professional year of Social Work, will continue to be offered at Lakehead - Orillia downtown.

"In August we will be renovating the space at our Heritage Place and 27 West Street locations in order to increase classroom sizes for these programs," notes Jeffs. "The downtown location is a good fit for these programs because it is close to the many centrally located businesses and social service agencies connected with the programs."

Watch for further updates in the coming weeks about the new campus opening event, as well as opportunities to tour the new University Avenue facility.