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Florizone |
In order to capitalize on opportunities and avoid potential conflicts, the University has established a committee to oversee development in the south campus area.
The quadrant between the Bowl and College Drive is the site of brisk development activity, including the new transit hub in front of Place Riel, the Academic Health Sciences complex, aboriginal student space, expansion of U of S Student’s Union space and planning for student residence development. Richard Florizone, vice-president finance and resources, described it as a dynamic area with high traffic flow. It is, he said, “the front entrance to campus.”
While each individual project has its own steering committee, Florizone said it recently became apparent there needed to be a representative body co-ordinating the technical aspects of development in the area.
“The South Campus Oversight Committee’s goal is not to guide any of the individual projects. It’s goal is to look for opportunities or synergies, or conflicts, between them from an administrative point of view.”
The process of developing a plan for residence space in the area, for example, will have affect how other projects proceed. What was originally a massive University Neighbourhood development along Cumberland Drive has been scaled back to a 200-bed facility in the south campus area to support the University’s enrolment plan.
“There’s a concept (for residences),” said Florizone, “but it still has financial challenges. In the current construction market, it’s going to be difficult to make these self-financing, meaning we can’t charge enough rent to cover the cost. We’re also wrestling with other priorities within the University.”
The residence steering committee is looking at potential plans “but if we can’t afford to build new residences, we may have to think differently about how we use our existing residences.” The role of the oversight committee then is to ensure each south campus development proceeds without impeding another, and that the University is making the best use of space and resources.
“It sounds dull and boring, but it’s good management.”
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The University’s south campus area, which includes Place Riel, is dynamic with high traffic flow and big development plans. Photo by Silas Polkinghorne |
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