Infrastructure funding 'encouraging' for Dalhousie

When Industry Minister Tony Clement was recently on campus to launch a federal infrastructure program for post-secondary education, Marty Leonard was happy to chat with him.

The acting dean of science, who spends much of her time in the Life Sciences Centre (LSC), shared a few observations about her aging building.

“I made the point that the current state of the building affects teaching and research. This need we have – it’s not about window dressing,” says Dr. Leonard.

In recognition of such issues, Minister Clement confirmed a $2-billion infrastructure fund for post-secondary education that was included in the most recent federal budget.

The task in the coming months becomes identifying matching funds and priority projects. Perhaps not unexpectedly, upgrading the LSC tops Dalhousie’s wish list.

“I’ve lost potential graduate students and one opportunity for a visiting academic. They were honest enough to tell me that they couldn’t imagine spending years in the building,” says Dr. Leonard.

The 405,000 square foot science building is home to biology, psychology, earth sciences and oceanography, plus an array of specialized labs. In fact, as much as 34 per cent of the building is dedicated to research. The unique Aquatron facility, with its deep tower tank and salt water labs, enables marine biology and oceanographic studies.

Dalhousie is pitching a $33 million package to undertake this long-awaited renovation, among other projects. The Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) has assembled a list of submissions for the province. To qualify for the federal government’s program, a commitment is needed from the province to match funding. Once approved, the list will be sent to the federal government.

“We’re encouraged, and now know that our project meets the eligibility requirements,” says Ken Burt, Vice-president (finance and administration). “But the competition is still open.”
Decisions are expected to be made in the coming months, as the federal government’s intention is for the work to commence quickly.

“If approved, we anticipate the retrofit could begin as early as July – it will be ‘shovel ready’ as they say,” says Mary Jane Adams, of Facilities Management.

Everything from switching to the most energy efficient lighting, to improving ventilation throughout the building and fixing the roofing will be in the cards. With such an extensive renewal, projects are expected to be substantially finished by 2011. 

“All systems are original to the building,” notes Ms. Adams.

It was in the late ‘60s when the Montreal architectural firm of Affleck, Desbarats was commissioned to design a new research building.  

“Ray Affleck’s design was highly innovative and a deliberate departure from the cut-stone of the other campus buildings. The building would be of poured concrete with the finish sandblasted to show the aggregate underneath,” according to information complied by the university archivist.

Even then, the design raised a few eyebrows. “A few sanguine supporters called the building ‘a very happy escape from rectangularity,’ but most were not won over by its utilitarian and labyrinthine interior.”

The last major change happened close to 20 years ago, when renovations to the eighth floor created office space for the Ocean Production Enhancement Network. In contrast to the original structure, this glass addition reflects the changing sky and is light filled – earning a Lieutenant-Governor’s Design Award for Architecture.

“I feel quite optimistic that if we can get this funding we will have the opportunity to improve the experience of students and faculty in some of our larger science departments, so I’m pleased with the prospect,” says Dr. Leonard.