PROJECT UPDATES

97.5
Construction completed to date

An Eye on Southern Alberta’s Potato Industry

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In 2019, the University of Lethbridge will experience a shift that will launch us into the future of transdisciplinary research, enhanced by the supportive environment of the Science and Academic Building. However, this campus won’t be isolated in the ripple effect the addition of this transformational space for learning and research will cause. Nestled in the centre of Alberta’s agriculture industry, this building and its activities will strengthen the connection to the local industries that are making an impact nationwide.

Local potato growers and processors tour the Science and Academic Building

Our local potato growers and processors represent one such industry, and 45 of them were on campus for the Potato Research Laboratory Open House. As part of the Open House, they toured the Science and Academic Building and witnessed the spaces where their research needs will come to life.

Thomas McDade, Agricultural Director with Potato Growers of Alberta (PGA), was impacted by the building’s innovative use of space.

“I was quite impressed by how usable, workable and collaborative the space is intended to be. It appears to be a really great place to work and it’s definitely state of the art.”

One of the largest investments into research the PGA and local potato processors (Cavendish Farms, Lamb Weston and McCain Foods) are making into the local potato industry is sponsoring the Potato Chair at the University, Dr. Dmytro Yevtushenko. McDade says moving into the building will expand his ability to collaborate with Dmytro and other scientists in a transdisciplinary environment.

“Because the work is spilling into other spaces, I see the collaboration in this building happening more easily. I think the types of relationships this building will facilitate will be terrific. “

David Hill, Director of Development, Cor Van Raay Southern Alberta Agribusiness Program at the University and participant in the potato grower and processor’s tour, says for those stakeholders, it highlights that the impact of the building goes far beyond this campus.

“It’s an exciting thing to allow them to see the new building because that’s where the research is going. They have a high interest in the fact that the U of L will be graduating students who have knowledge of the area and industry.”

And as the building is becoming part of the southern Alberta landscape, the work that it’s capable of facilitating has great potential to shape the local agricultural landscape as well.

Largest construction project since 1971

By | Construction

The look and scope of scientific discovery are set to be transformed in the fall of 2019 as the University of Lethbridge opens the new science and academic building. One of the most advanced facilities for teaching and researching the sciences in the country, the new addition to the Lethbridge campus is the largest construction project to take place since University Hall was completed in 1971. Sustainably designed with local climate in mind, students, faculty and community will come together under one roof to create, inquire and discover.

Now more than 50 per cent complete, the science and academic building has been under construction for nearly two action-packed years. The buzz of excitement in the campus community is building with every construction milestone achieved.

“Every time I have an opportunity to take a tour on the site, I’m astounded with the progress being made,” says Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Dr. Andy Hakin. “We can now see some of the large design elements starting to take shape. From the atrium staircase to the glass curtain wall on the exterior of the building, it’s exciting to see our project come to life. This building will be of enormous benefit to so many aspects of our University life and to the extended community.”

A home for innovation and discovery, one of the major design principles was to encourage and foster research between the sciences. The open and flexible laboratory environments allow this to become a reality. Professor and Associate Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy Dr. Dan Furgason says with this new way of working and learning, the opportunities for transdisciplinary collaborations and ideas will flourish and give students and faculty innovative ways to problem solve with more resources available than ever before.

“During my 30-plus years with the University, I have witnessed several changes and improvements in teaching and research,” says Furgason. “Students have always played an integral role in scientific research at the U of L and that role has been an important facet in student education. Over the years, the students have changed, the research environment has changed and now the facilities are about to change. It is truly exciting to contemplate the possibilities moving forward into the new building. As we build the culture to complement the new environment, I am certain students, researchers and the community at large will experience new and engaging modes of learning and investigation.”

It’s not just U of L students who will benefit from this leading centre for science and academics; students of all ages will join them in discovery. Elementary and high school students from around southern Alberta will have a home for innovation. Science outreach programs are expanding in a dedicated learning facility aimed at igniting the spark of science in the researchers of tomorrow.

Community outreach programs like Destination Exploration and Let’s Talk Science enable southern Alberta to develop individuals who are creative and innovative discoverers, leaders and independent learners, who are well prepared to contribute significantly to their local, national and global communities, right here at home.

“When children experience science in a new way, you open the door for a whole new world of discovery and excitement for them,” says Director of Youth Outreach Valerie Archibald. “With the dedicated outreach space in the new science and academic building, we can run more programming throughout the year that enables more children to participate in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.”

As the new science and academic building grows, so too do the economic benefits to southern Alberta. With more than 350 workers currently on-site and that number expected to climb between 450 and 500 during peak construction periods, the project has not only brought jobs to the area but a welcome economic injection for local businesses. Additionally, the building, once operational, will contribute significantly to the overall impact the University of Lethbridge has on the city and region.

A Photo Tour | Spring 2019

| Uncategorized | No Comments
The building is 98% completed and first occupants are moving in. take a look at the spring 2019 photo tour gallery

A Photo Tour | Fall 2018

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Finishes are applied, painting is underway and PCL Construction has made incredible progress on the building interior. Take a look inside with this Fall 2018 photo gallery.

An Eye on Southern Alberta’s Potato Industry

| Uncategorized | No Comments

In 2019, the University of Lethbridge will experience a shift that will launch us into the future of transdisciplinary research, enhanced by the supportive environment of the Science and Academic…

The latest look inside | Summer 2018

| Community, Uncategorized | No Comments
Construction is progressing quickly inside the Destination Project, Phase I. This summer photo tour shows you how labs are taking shape, offices are carpeted, and finishes are getting installed on...

Winter 2018

| Construction, Science on Display | No Comments

A winter photo tour featuring interior construction      

Largest construction project since 1971

| Construction | No Comments
The look and scope of scientific discovery are set to be transformed in the fall of 2019 as the University of Lethbridge opens the new science and academic building. One...

Site tour with Dr. Matthew Letts

| Community, Construction, Outreach, Science on Display | No Comments
Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science and academic program manager, Dr. Matthew Letts, tours the new Science & Academic Building giving insight to the building for staff...

Fall tour of the Science & Academic Building

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There's been lots of work completed and progress made on the new Science and Academic Building since we last toured the site in the summer. Now more than 50 per...

A look back through campus history

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Bob Baunton is a structural engineer who helped to shape the University of Lethbridge campus in Lethbridge. Bob was involved in almost all major building developments from University Hall to...

Take a look inside the Destination Project

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Take a sneak-peek inside the new science and academic building construction site! Gene Lublinkhof, Project Manager at the U of L, introduces us to two areas of importance in the building with PCL…

One year of construction

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June 23, 2017 marks the one-year anniversary of the official sod turning of the Destination Project! So much progress has been made over the past 12 months. The new science and…

Long-time supporter continues commitment to University

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As the University of Lethbridge celebrates its 50th year, one long-time supporter continues to show strong commitment to the institution. PCL Construction Management Ltd. may be a new name on…

Science outreach program fosters next generation of STEM professionals!

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Science outreach programs like Destination Exploration look forward to benefiting from the improved space and design of the new science and academic building. Destination Exploration recently collaborated with the City of Lethbridge…

Stantec says thanks with gift to University of Lethbridge

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The University of Lethbridge was given a glimpse into the near future recently thanks to Stantec Architecture. University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon accepted a framed rendering of the…

Eye-popping donation epitomizes science on display

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In celebration of National Periodic Table day, the University of Lethbridge is pleased to announce a donation of a special kind for the Destination Project. A group of former staff…

Big Yeller time lapse

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The Teaching Centre was kind enough to share their time lapse video of PCL’s Big Yeller tower crane being assembled!

Building hope; Destination Project gives big this holiday season

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Between the holiday parties, gift giving and joy of the season, it can be hard to remember there are people who struggle just to put dinner on the table each…

BMO donates $1 million to fund construction of new state-of-the-art science building

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The University of Lethbridge (U of L) today announced that BMO Financial Group has joined the University’s Destination Project through a $1 million philanthropic donation for construction of a new…

A tale of two cranes

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After a few months of doing all of the heavy lifting, Big Yeller, the tower crane onsite at the Destination Project, has received a helping hand, or jib, to be…

Site image gallery

Click through our image gallery to see how the site has changed since work started in May 2016.