Stay alert and stay safe
There's a lot going on around the Campus Centre construction site. Please pay attention to construction signage, follow instructions and use the detours — they’re in place for your safety.
When using the covered CTrain pathway, activate the crosswalk signal before crossing the road to/from the Johnson-Cobbe Energy Centre.
Overview
SAIT is undertaking a multi-year project to redevelop Campus Centre.
The initial scope of the project is about four years and includes the construction of renewed facilities dedicated to promoting health and supporting student learning, community, and wellness on campus.
The project supports SAIT’s commitment to excellence as outlined in New World. New Thinking., SAIT’s Strategic Plan 2020-25 and is aligned with the institution’s Campus Development Master Plan Framework. SAIT continues its integrated partnership and community engagement with the SAIT Students' Association (Saitsa) regarding Saitsa programming and services to be delivered in the new building.
We look forward to the future of Campus Centre and all its possibilities for our community here at SAIT.
Construction details
Last updated: April 16, 2024
Current status
🚧 CTrain covered walkway removal April 16-18
(April 16, 2024) The temporary covered walkway leading to/from the CTrain on campus is being dismantled and removed this week. The path itself will remain open and access to/from the CTrain will continue to be maintained throughout construction. As construction activity increases at the Campus Centre Redevelopment project site, removal of the scaffold and covering is intended to improve pedestrian circulation and maintenance access, while decreasing opportunities for unwanted activities, such as vandalism and graffiti.
🚧 Construction site preparation in progress
(April 8, 2024) Construction activities are ongoing at the Campus Centre site. Heavy machinery will be present as the site is prepared for construction to begin in the spring. Please continue to pay attention to construction signage. Follow instructions and use the detours in place.
🛎️ New views of the new Campus Centre exterior design
(Jan. 29, 2024) This just in! Flip through the gallery to check out some updated renderings of the exterior design concept for the new Campus Centre building.
📌 The exterior design concept was inspired by SAIT’s catalyst logo. Elements of the design were chosen to complement the architecture of Heritage Hall and other buildings on campus.
At this stage of the design development, most exterior and structural elements of the new building have been finalized. In the coming months, the interior design will be detailed and construction drawings will be developed. Site preparation is underway for construction to begin in the spring, continuing through 2027.
The design program for the new building centres on student-focused spaces supporting health and well-being, campus athletics and recreation, and campus life, as well as teaching and learning, and includes:
- spaces for study, gathering and collaboration
- an Athletics and Recreation Centre with an arena, triple gymnasium, spectator seating, fitness and weights area, sport medicine space and a recreational walking track
- Saitsa offices and operations, including a Saitsa operated pub
- Welcome Centre
- health and wellness spaces
- conference and event space
- improved pedestrian access to the building
- universal accessibility and sustainable design.
Stay tuned for more information as the project progresses.
🦺 Construction safety reminder
(Dec. 20, 2023) Even as demolition work winds down, construction activities will be ongoing at the Campus Centre site. Please continue to pay attention to construction signage. Follow instructions and use the detours in place.
Winter weather brings extra challenges getting around campus. Pedestrians, please use the covered CTrain pathway and activate the crosswalk signal before crossing the road to/from the Johnson-Cobbe Energy Centre to ensure visibility. Drivers, watch out for pedestrians. Please be patient and always make safety a priority.
🏗️ First look at the new Campus Centre exterior design
(Nov. 2, 2023) Take a peek at a preliminary rendering of the exterior design concept for the new Campus Centre building.
The exterior design was inspired by SAIT’s catalyst logo and aims to create a dynamic and adaptable building ― a new front door for SAIT, that welcomes our community onto campus. The new building will occupy a similar footprint to the previous Campus Centre. Elements of the student-centric design were chosen to complement the architecture of Heritage Hall and other buildings on campus.
What’s next? The design phase of the Campus Centre Redevelopment project will continue through early 2024. The project team expects to break ground on the new building in the spring, with construction continuing through 2027.
Stay tuned for more information and updated renderings as the project progresses.
📺 Time-lapse video: Campus Centre building demolition
(Nov. 1, 2023) Watch the demolition of SAIT's Campus Centre building through Oct. 30, 2023.
📣New Campus Centre design program approved
(Oct. 2, 2023) The overall design program for the new Campus Centre was recently approved to proceed. The design program outlines what will be included inside the building.
The design centres on student-focused spaces supporting health and well-being, campus athletics and recreation, and campus life, as well as teaching and learning. The approved design program includes:
- spaces for study, gathering and collaboration
- Athletics and Recreation Center with an arena, triple gymnasium, spectator seating, fitness and weights area, sport medicine space and a recreational walking track.
- Saitsa offices and operations, including a Saitsa operated pub
- Welcome Centre (services to be included currently being defined)
- health and wellness spaces (services to be included currently being defined)
- conference and event space
- improved pedestrian access to the building
- universal accessibility and sustainable design.
What’s next? With approval of the design program, the project team is focusing on the exterior design of the building and conducting additional stakeholder engagement to inform interior features and configurations. A first look at the design concept will be shared later this fall.
Demolition of the old Campus Centre building will continue through November.
Stay tuned for more information on the design and construction schedule for the new building.
🏗️ SAIT selects design-build partner for new Campus Centre building
(May 17, 2023) SAIT has selected BIRD Construction with GEC Architecture as the design-build partner for the new Campus Centre building.
BIRD is a well-respected builder in the Canadian construction industry. Their work includes the Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton, Remington YMCA in Quarry Park, University of Calgary MacKimmie Tower Redevelopment, Calgary Central Library and renovations to the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.
GEC works across Canada from studios in Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto. Their work includes the large-scale renovation and expansion of Bow Valley College’s north and south campuses downtown.
The design phase of the Campus Centre Redevelopment project will continue through early 2024. Discussions with key stakeholder groups across campus will occur throughout the summer and early fall to inform the design.
♻️ Green for good
(April 23, 2023) Partnering with Green Standards, the redevelopment project has diverted 98.9% of old furniture and equipment in Campus Centre from the landfill, contributing $95,768 of in-kind donations to support 11 community organizations. The diversion equals offsetting electricity use from 19 homes for a year.
🏗️ Campus Centre is closed
(April 3, 2023) Decommissioning inside the building will continue into the summer. Building demolition will occur in phases to ensure the safe removal of asbestos-containing materials.
SAIT and AUArts students and employees can access campus recreation resources at the Wellness Centre facility located behind East Hall residence.
Demolition activities and safety measures
The Campus Centre Redevelopment project includes the demolition of SAIT’s current Campus Centre and the construction of a new building on site.
Prior to demolition, the building must be decommissioned. Pre-demolition activities include decant (moving out of people and things), asbestos abatement and remediation, infrastructure salvage and decommissioning.
Health and safety will be prioritized throughout the project. Areas of work will follow all safety regulations. The building will be hoarded off in zones. All building systems will be online — fire alarm, lighting, HVAC — for the duration of pre-demolition activities.
Closures and moves️
Please note the following service-specific closure dates and relocation information, as applicable.
Students and employees can access campus recreation resources at the temporary Wellness Centre facility behind East Hall residence.
Trojans Athletics have secured alternate spaces to continue their programming.
Visit the eSports lounge in the Senator Burns building, NJ112.
Visit Athletics and Recreation administration in the Senator Burns building, NN121.
Visit the Jugo Juice in Stan Grad Centre.
Visit Parking Services in the Card Office in the Senator Burns building, NN104.
Visit the Saitsa Resource Centre in the Stan Grad Centre, MC107.
Visit the Odyssey in the Senator Burns building, NN120.
Live music events will be hosted by the Gateway Events team at venues throughout the city. The Gateway Food and Beverage team will transition into a community food truck.
There is no CTrain access through Campus Centre. The northwest end of the CTrain platform remains open. Follow the detour to and from the platform. Although access to Campus Centre via the elevator will be unavailable after Aug. 1, 2022, an accessible route to and from the platform will be maintained. SAIT will work with the City of Calgary and Calgary Transit to notify transit users.
Room bookings for the Orpheus Theatre, Symposium Room, and other event/meeting spaces in Campus Centre are unavailable.
The bike locker in front of the Gateway is no longer accessible due to exterior construction fencing/hoarding, but there are bike lockers in the P6 Parking Garage.
Contact residence@sait.ca to rent a bike locker.
Sustainable decommissioning️
Throughout the Campus Centre Redevelopment project, a holistic and sustainable building decommission strategy is being implemented. This includes a thorough assessment of building elements to determine what’s suitable for salvage, resale, donation and recycling.
The exterior and interior building bricks will go to a recycling facility to be prepped for reuse. Yard waste, mainly wood, will be chipped and recycled into other wood products. Tin and steel will be sent for recycling and melted down.
The project team has set a landfill diversion rate target of above 85% by weight.
FAQ
This FAQ will be updated throughout the project.
Campus Centre is at the end of its lifecycle. Major renovations to building infrastructure and repairs to maintain as-is will exceed 65% of existing building value.
Upgraded functionality is also necessary to support universal accessibility to health and wellness amenities, Saitsa operations and events, and to provide large gathering spaces for the SAIT community.
A new building project will maximize value and opportunity to best support a great student experience on campus.
The temporary recreation facility is designed to ensure barrier-free access.
A barrier free building is designed so all its components are accessible to all users. It is designed so everything from the height of the light switches, countertops and washroom accessories to the path of travel are free from barriers.
Asbestos abatement consists of the safe removal of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) from a building. ACM are present throughout the Campus Centre in wallboard, flooring, insulation and mastics (adhesives used to bind and seal other building materials to each other). Abatement is a normal part of the decanting and demolition of buildings constructed before the 2000s, such as the Campus Centre.
Asbestos abatement risks and precautions
Asbestos becomes a risk when its fibres are released into the air. Exposure to asbestos is not a concern when ACM are undisturbed and maintained in good condition.
There are many precautions taken during asbestos abatement to ensure both workers and the larger SAIT community are not exposed. These precautions are required by Alberta Occupational Health and Safety legislation and include restricted access, containing the work area under negative pressure, personal protective equipment (PPE) to help protect abatement workers in the work area, waste cleanup requirements and rigorous air monitoring to ensure asbestos fibres remain within the work area. If air monitoring reveals fibres above background levels, SAIT’s Health, Safety and Environment Services will inform the SAIT community.
Several asbestos abatement projects are currently occurring within the Campus Centre, and one on the exterior of the building.
Managing abatement projects indoors
Asbestos abatements indoors are performed based on the requirements of Alberta Health and Safety legislation and those in the Alberta Asbestos Abatement Manual. Work areas are contained and under negative pressure, and are inspected multiple times per day for leaks in the containment. Air monitoring in areas adjacent to asbestos abatement containments is performed to detect any release of asbestos fibres.
Managing abatement projects outdoors
Abatement workers are scraping dried mastic from concrete block walls with non-powered hand tools on the exterior of Campus Centre. This project, under asbestos abatement regulations, is referred to as low-risk because the asbestos fibres are bound within the mastic layers and do not become airborne when pieces of that mastic are removed with hand tools. The workers themselves wear disposable coveralls and respirators so that pieces of mastic do not build up on their clothing and so they don’t unintentionally ingest the mastic. For the same reason, these work areas are fenced off to restrict access. As an added precaution, air monitoring is performed here periodically to ensure asbestos fibres are not released.
Learn more about asbestos management at SAIT and contact Health, Safety and Environment Services for more information.