The University of Calgary plans to renovate two existing residence buildings instead of constructing two new ones, Board of Governors (BoG) Student-at-Large Representative Aitazaz Shah told the Students' Legislative Council (SLC) in his meeting post-report on Oct. 20.
The university had originally planned to build two residence buildings: one for first-year students and one for upper-year students. According to Shah, the administration has revised their plan, citing rising construction costs and changing housing demand.
Under the revised plan, Olympus Hall and Glacier Hall would be renovated, increasing their combined capacity from 225 to 294 beds. Yamnuska Hall would be repurposed as a first-year residence and the university would build one new upper-year residence.
The plan anticipates a total of 754 additional beds, though Shah said that number could change as construction progresses.
Shah said the administration selected Yamnuska because its three-bedroom units have shared common rooms and its lack of kitchens make the building better suited to first year students who are required to purchase a University of Calgary meal plan. Students can choose between a five-day or seven-day all-you-can-eat plan at the University's dining centre. Repurposing the existing building also offers the administration greater flexibility.
Faculty of Haskayne Representative Elias Karayiannis asked how the university would avoid runaway costs when renovating 40-year-old buildings, and whether the work would be “something of a facelift” or a complete overhaul.
Shah said he understood the buildings would be stripped down to their basic structure and that the administration will have to test for asbestos.
President Gabriela Dziegielewska added that cost overruns are built into how the project is paid for.
“If the project is more expensive from the initial assessment, the cost will come out of the profit that it is expected to make, which incentivizes them to keep the cost of what the assessment originally is,” Dziegielewska said.
Faculty of Kinesiology Representative Noah Karmali also asked whether rates at Yamnuska, which are currently higher than buildings with in-room kitchens, would drop once it becomes a first-year residence. Shah said no decision on fees was discussed but that the university wanted to remain competitive, particularly with the University District area.
The BoG also approved a $65-million renewal of the Olympic Oval with $52 million from the federal and provincial governments and $13 million from the university. Shah said the project will replace the existing skating slabs and upgrade refrigeration and other infrastructure, as the Oval approaches the end of its surface life.
The board also reviewed the $450-million Multidisciplinary Science Hub. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with completion anticipated in September 2030, Shah said. He noted that the project has undergone redesigns and the administration did not speak to accessibility.
Faculty of Science Representative Sehaj Kang asked how much money is budgeted for student gathering spaces and how many study spaces there will be.
Shah said the administration wants the building’s lower floors to serve as a place for students to gather and relax with a possible cafe. He said the administration did not provide a specific number of seats or a budget for those spaces. However, the hub is expected to support about 2,000 additional students, which Shah described as an academic enrollment figure not a count of seating.
“From a student perspective I think we’re going to be in the right direction,” said Shah. “But we, of course, have to ensure that the university’s expansion is accompanied by us being consulted with students.”
For more information on upcoming SLC meetings and agendas, visit the SU website.
