newsMarch 25, 2021

Campus Renovation Update

When students, faculty and staff eventually return to campus, they will be seeing big changes.

In March 2020, and continuing now, all Corpus Christi-St. Mark’s College classes were transitioned to virtual delivery, staff and faculty began working from home, and onsite events were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This left the buildings unoccupied.

With the incredible growth at Corpus Christi-St. Mark’s College over recent years, it was rare there was ever a time when the buildings were empty. Now was the opportunity to undertake multiple phases of an important construction plan.

A multi-stage renovation plan had been proposed in Fall of 2019, which was to see the redevelopment of classroom space, student learning space, student activity space, and faculty and advising offices. The initial plan was to take approximately three years, using only summer months to complete the project to minimize class disruption.

With campus now unoccupied, however, the construction plans were modified and a full-time renovation schedule was launched.

Big changes begin – Demolition and Infrastructure

The basement has been emptied and largely demolished to address infrastructure issues such as plumbing, electrical, HVAC and seismic needs. The second floor is being cleared out and reframed. Electricians finished the full upgrade of the electrical room. Trenches were dug in the basement concrete floors and new underground plumbing has been run throughout.

Seismic forming has been completed. The crew is currently working on running new lines for the heating and HVAC units in the basement. The engineers have finished their design of the boiler room and all HVAC and electrical drawings have been completed. A/V and security upgrades are underway.

Looking ahead – Huge improvements for student spaces

Beyond the critical infrastructure upgrades, spaces are being renovated to benefit student experience, learning and collaboration, including:

• More space for students in classrooms, including handicapped seating;
• New student workspaces throughout the building;
• New washrooms, including accessible washrooms;
• Multiple breakout and meeting areas;
• Expansions to the Student Resource Centre; and
• Implementation of a technology plan for modernized classrooms.

It’s an exciting time for the Colleges. Tremendous progress has been made and the construction will be complete this summer. We will update our community as the renovation journey continues.