USSU and University of Saskatchewan Announce Place Riel Renovation Project is Officially Underway
Monday, March 16, 2009

The front door to the University of Saskatchewan is about to get a major facelift.

The University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union (USSU) and the University of Saskatchewan are pleased to announce that a proposed $28.5 million renovation and expansion of the Place Riel Student Centre has received final approval by the University of Saskatchewan Board of Governors. 

Work on the $28 million project, $22 million of which will be funded by the USSU, and $6 by the University of Saskatchewan, is scheduled to begin almost immediately.

“This is an exciting day not only for the USSU, but also for students who attend the University of Saskatchewan,” said Josie Steeves, USSU President. “This announcement marks the culmination of work that’s been going on for many years to have the Student Centre expanded and improved.”

"There’s no way this could have happened without the hard work of many individuals and organizations who have partnered with the USSU,” said Steeves. “What’s most important is that the big winners from the project will be the University’s students, who can look forward to even better services in a state-of-the-art student facility.”

“The University of Saskatchewan wholeheartedly supports the USSU in this Place Riel renovation project,” said University of Saskatchewan Vice-President Finance and Resources Richard Florizone. “The USSU and the U of S share the common goal of enhancing the learning experience for all students.”

Renovations to the Student Centre are expected to begin in early April and continue until the project’s anticipated end date of October, 2010.

"Saunders Evans Plosker Wotherspoon Architects Inc. is extremely pleased that this project will be proceeding to construction following the University of Saskatchewan Board of Governors' approval,” said Project Manager Justin Wotherspoon.  “The project approval is the climax of many years of hard work by the students, University stakeholders and the consultant team.”

“Our firm is very proud to now be able to move forward and to assist the students and the University in seeing this important project through to fruition," said Wotherspoon.

Other major highlights of the project include:

• Construction of a four-storey addition to Place Riel, resulting in the creation of approximately 3,200 sq. metres of office and meeting space. It is currently proposed that the top two floors of the new building will be devoted to a new University Health Centre, with space also allocated for student counseling services;
• Expansion of office and retail space to Upper and Lower Place Riel;
• Improvement to the main (south) entry doors into Place Riel, also known as the “University’s Front Door”.
• Addition of new services and businesses within the Place Riel Student Centre;
• Expansion to Upper Place Riel including a new University Student Council meeting chamber, a new USSU information and reception area, increased retail space and a reorganized seating area to enhance walking traffic flows.
• Revamped Lower Place Riel, resulting in an integrated food court, reorganized and expanded seating area, improved walking traffic flows, elimination of escalators, installation of an expanded staircase, and the addition of a new outdoor entry/exit area from Lower Place Riel.

“Construction activities relating to the renovation and addition will be taking place in an area that is recognized as having one of the highest traffic flows on campus,” said Mike Chyzowski, President of Quorex Construction and Place Riel Construction Manager.

“One of our focuses will be to minimize disruption and maintain these flows to the greatest extent possible during the period of construction.” Said Chyzowski.

Jeremy Ring, USSU V.P. Finance and Operations, said that one of the major aims during construction will be to make Place Riel as environmentally friendly as possible.
“Our aim will be to secure the highest possible LEED Certification,” said Ring. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a green building rating system that provides standards for environmentally sustainability design.

“The focus on constructing a green, sustainable facility fits perfectly with our focus on serving the needs of students for the long term,” said Ring.

USSU Receives Ministerial Approval for Place Riel Renovation Project Financing
Friday, March 14, 2008

The University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union (USSU) announced today that it has received formal Ministerial approval from the Saskatchewan Department of Advanced Education and Employment to proceed with a financing loan from the First Nations Bank of Canada / TD Commercial Banking for the renovation and expansion of Place Riel at the University of Saskatchewan.

“This is an extremely important step in the path toward the renewal and expansion of Place Riel,” said USSU President James Pepler.

“I’m particularly pleased to have First Nations Bank/TD Commercial Banking involved in the process because they have a student-oriented point of view, and have always acknowledged that it will be the students who are going to be paying for the building renovations.”

The loan will be underwritten by the University of Saskatchewan. Final terms and conditions for the loan are still to be negotiated.

Funding for repayment of the loan will come from a 30-year infrastructure fee that was implemented in the autumn of 2007. Every student at the University of Saskatchewan pays $44 per term towards the renovation and expansion of Place Riel.

Roger Silzer, General Manager Main Branch Saskatoon of First Nations Bank, said he was thrilled to be a part of the project.

“It’s great to be involved in helping to finance something that we know will be of great benefit to the University and the student community,” said Silzer. “First Nations Bank, along with TD Commercial Banking, look forward to the day when the students will open the doors to a first-rate student facility on campus.”

Beth McConnell, Relationship Manager with TD Commercial Banking, looked forward to seeing the renovations and expansion become a reality.

“TD Commercial Banking is proud to partner with First Nations Bank of Canada and the entire U of S student body on the financing of this significant project,” said McConnell. “We recognize that Place Riel is a vital centre for student services and an important gathering place for everyone at the U of S.”

“As many of our TD employees are U of S alumni, we are all very excited to see the renovations and expansion unfold.”

USSU General Manager Caroline Cottrell said the process for successfully securing the loan required hard work and cooperation from various groups.

“I’m very happy that First Nations Bank / TD Commercial Banking, the University of Saskatchewan Board of Governors, and the Province have recognized the importance of creating a better space for the benefit of students,” said Cottrell. “This project would not have been possible without their wholehearted support and negotiations in good faith on behalf of the student population.”

Construction of the Place Riel renovation and expansion project is expected to begin in the autumn of 2008, subject to final approval by the University Board of Governors.

“While we basically have the financing in place, nothing will proceed until the project receives Board 2 approval by the University Board of Governors,” said Cottrell.

It is expected that the University Board of Governors will review the project for final approval this summer.