Project updates and progress

January 2021

Work continues on the SLC/PAC expansion through the winter term when permitted within COVID-19 public health restrictions. Project updates include:

• Installation of final electrical and mechanical components is in progress.
• Drywall is up on the second and third floors. First-floor drywall, painting and installation of ceramic tiles is almost complete
• Work on the outside of the building, between SLC and MC, is in progress including gravel and topsoil and gravel for the area around the building. 
• The new fitness equipment and audiovisual components are in the procurement process with plans to have it all on site when the building is ready to open.
• The project team is working on wayfinding components like signs for doors, corridors, and elevators as well as window films. 
• The Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) and Graduate Student Association (GSA) have consulted with the project team about new furniture, which has been ordered for various spaces in the SLC/PAC expansion.
• Millwork is close to completion in some areas including cabinetry in the GSA board room and multi-faith space. 

December 2020

The SLC/PAC Expansion project was recently featured in Award magazine, a magazine serving Canadian architects, consulting engineers, and construction industry professionals. 

September 2020

The project team is excited to share that the flex dining space in the SLC/PAC expansion has now opened. Only some furniture has been installed to maintain low capacity and physical distancing to align with COVID-19 protocols. 

Glass windows have been installed on the bridge between the SLC/PAC expansion and MC (Math and Computing building). 

July 2020

Bondfield Construction, and the sub-trades, have been back on site full-time and working under the appropriate health and safety guidelines to move the project along. The priority is still to close-in the building, with the link to Math and Computing (MC) getting its full glass installed. The site team continues to have regular bi-weekly meetings. 

May 2020

The Ontario government has released new guidelines that permit essential construction projects to resume at colleges and universities. These construction projects must follow strict safety guidelines to ensure safe operations during the COVID-19 outbreak.

During the week of May 4, 2020, construction has resumed on the SLC/PAC expansion project, and will continue to ramp up over the coming weeks, while following relevant health and safety guidelines. 

The project team will monitor the situation and provide updates as construction progresses. For up-to-date information about the SLC/PAC expansion project, including entrance closures and service disruptions, follow the #UWSLCPAC hashtag on Twitter or email slcpac.project@uwaterloo.ca. 

April 2020

CONSTRUCTION ON HOLD

To further reduce contact between people and help stop the spread of COVID-19, the province of Ontario has updated the list of essential businesses that can remain open. The restrictions mean that construction for the SLC/PAC expansion project must be paused. The project team will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates when construction work can resume on campus. Visit the Coronavirus Information website for more information about COVID-19 at the University.

February 2020

The new PAC Women's change room opened on January 30, 2020, with all-new shower stalls, tiles, fixtures, benches, and black and gold lockers.

January 2020

Fall and early winter have been busy with a large construction crew making progress on the SLC/PAC expansion including:

• Installation of large windows along the main wall on the first floor of the expansion and in the new fitness centre area.
• Installation of decking (steel floor structure) on the second and third floors.
• Rough-ins for electrical and mechanical on the second and third floors.
• Completion of framing, pouring of flooring, and various finishing work on the link to MC.
• Plumbing, painting, and tile and fixture installation in the women's change room.
• Completion of asbestos abatement (removal) in the PAC.
• Work in the new flexible dining space including mechanical and electrical component work, removal of hoarding between old and new space, installation of temporary heaters, and rough-ins for new lighting. 
• Reshaping of the entrance to the Pharmacy in the existing SLC lower-level to allow entrance to the large storage area under the new building. 
• Ordering of flex dining furniture that will be installed when the space is ready. Additional furniture for the first floor has been finalized and approved by the project team (includes WUSA and GSA representatives).

During Winter 2020, the SLC/PAC Expansion team has engaged with the campus community, and answered questions about the project, through initiatives including:

• WUSA Campus Fair
• Athletics Open House

At these events, students were invited to provide feedback on samples of lap desks and window film styles for the bookable study rooms that will be available in the new SLC/PAC Expansion building. 

For up-to-date information about the SLC/PAC expansion project, including entrance closures and service disruptions, follow the #UWSLCPAC hashtag on Twitter or email slcpac.project@uwaterloo.ca. 

The structure for the new building is taking shape! The focus has been on the following over the last few months:

• finishing up the main structural steel frame for the connection of the SLC to and PAC
• excavation, footings poured and steel skeleton constructed of the MC link
• finishing the structure, roofing, and mechanical in the new flexible dining SLC area
• demolition and construction in PAC subbasement mechanical space
• complete renovation and expansion of existing PAC women’s change room
• preliminary structural work to support the new link that will connect the two sides of PAC

The SLC/PAC Expansion team has engaged with the campus community, and answered questions about the project, through initiatives including:

• Athletics Open House booth
• WUSA Campus Fair booth
• community art project at Orientation
• collecting student feedback with 3 trial lap desks in the SLC great hall where students voted on which one they like the most.

 

Brubakers kitchen officially opens on Monday, May 13. Located in the updated SLC dining area, Brubakers kitchen features Pizza Pizza, Settlement Co. Coffee, build-your-own power bowls, specialty sandwiches including toasts and bagels, and a large selection of grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, bakery, and convenience items. 

The SLC/PAC Expansion project team is here to answer questions and get your input. Booths at the following events give the campus community an opportunity to check out the model of the new building, try out furniture, and get answers to their questions about the new space: 

Wednesday, May 8 - Athletics Spring Open House in the SLC Great Hall

Wednesday, May 15 - Feds Campus Life Fair in the SLC Great Hall

As Winter term ends and Spring term begins, outdoor work is ramping up on the construction of the SLC/PAC Expansion. The crane has been busy putting up the steel structure for the new building. The final building is expected to be ready in 2020 with some services opening earlier as they are completed.

SLC updates:

Since the last update, Shawarma Hub and Pita Pit have opened up on the ground floor of the SLC in the Brubakers area. These outlets, along with other dining options, Subway and Quesada, will be closed on April 19 and reopen for the first day of classes on May 6. Additional dining options at Brubakers will open once millwork is installed. The expansion of the dining area is in progress right now with the plan to open up more dining space in the Fall term. The project team has ordered furniture and ceiling lighting for the dining room thanks to input from students at consultation sessions.

The pedestrian walkway through the construction site between the SLC and the Mathematics & Computer Building (MC) will be closed for the latter part of April. This closure is to cover the walkway in preparation for excavation and installation of footings for the bridge between the second floor of the SLC and the third floor of MC. The foundation work is complete and construction for the entry for the link will be visible at MC soon.

The campus community will be able to see more construction in the coming months as crews erect steel and work on the decking for the new building. The project team is working with the construction teams to reduce noise and minimize work during exams.

PAC updates:

In the PAC, many changes have happened in the Fitness Centre, hallways, and change room. In the Fitness Centre, the staircase has been installed, the floor has been poured and leveled, and electrical, ductwork and plumbing are being roughed in. In the women’s change room, masonry walls are up and plumbing has been roughed in. Door frames have been removed on three corners of the building hallways as new fire doors are being installed.

The PAC will have an end-of-term shut down from April 27 to May 5. During the shutdown, asbestos abatement, removal of old mechanical equipment, and other work will continue. Although the PAC will re-open on May 6, the gyms will remain closed until May 9.

For up-to-date information about the SLC/PAC expansion project, including entrance closures and service disruptions, follow the #UWSLCPAC hashtag. As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to slcpac.project@uwaterloo.ca

November 2018 Consultations

On November 19 and 20, Feds President Richard Wu met with students about the SLC/PAC Expansion project. Display boards were set up in the SLC Great Hall to provide an overview of the expansion and the planned features. An interactive furniture layout table gave students the chance to share their thoughts about furniture types for the main lounges on each floor. 

If you weren't able to make it out to the event but have questions or comments, please email slcpac.project@uwaterloo.ca

 

The following is a short summary of construction updates this month including new spaces that have begun to open and changes to entrances.

SLC Updates:

The dining area in the SLC is now open! So far, Subway and Quesada have opened and the other dining options will be opening shortly. Kitchen installation work finished up earlier this week and dining tables and chairs have been installed. See UW Food Services Facebook live for a tour of the new dining options that will be available. 

The SLC southeast entrance (closest to QNC) is now open and accessible. This means you can now enter the SLC near The Bomber patio and walk through the inside to get to the Great Hall, or to the Ring Road entrance, near International News, and vice versa. The accessible ramp between the first and second floors of the SLC is also open. The main stairwell up to the second floor near the dining hall is also open.

PAC Updates:

The new PAC General men’s change room and family change rooms opened to users earlier this month. These change rooms also have direct access to the pool and new lockers.

September 2018

SLC updates:

Work in the SLC dining area is moving from the construction phase to finishing up the final details required for occupancy. The flooring and signs have been installed in the dining area near Brubaker’s. Plumbing and IT services are being installed, along with equipment and millwork, in preparation for opening the dining area and new food service outlets later this term.

PAC updates:

The men’s change room in the PAC is in the final stages. Tile and partitions have been installed. Plumbing and other finishings are in progress with the expectation that the men’s change room will be ready for opening in late September. The hallway access to the pool has been tiled.

Expansion building update:

Construction is progressing on the new building that will be the SLC/PAC Expansion. The most obvious above-ground work is the large concrete towers that house the building staircase and elevator shaft. The below-grade concrete work is complete including footings, storage areas, etc.

For up-to-date information about the SLC/PAC expansion project, including entrance closures and service disruptions, follow the #UWSLCPAC hashtag on Twitter.

July/August 2018

Work continues to progress over the summer months and the campus community is seeing the building start to rise up from the foundation.

SLC Updates:

The excavation work required for the bridge between the SLC and MC is now finished. Bridgework will continue.

Steel beams have been erected that will be part of the new building. Staircase A work in SLC is done and the forming of Staircase B is in progress. There are signs directing people to alternate staircases and elevators.

Demolition in the Food Services area started in July. It is expected that some Food Service outlets in the SLC will be open by September with a slightly smaller dining room as construction continues. 

PAC updates:

All programming continues in the PAC including the full operation of the pool, Warrior Zone, studios, squash courts and gym (small and main). The Customer Care Desk remains open and small change rooms are available to use. 

May 2018

The scheduled completion date for the SLC/PAC expansion has shifted from late Fall 2018 to late Spring 2019. The schedule changes are due to a variety of factors including:

• unforeseen building conditions
• soil conditions
• bad weather
• changes or variations in the scope of work
• rescheduling work to accommodate specific events.

These factors are common in projects of this scale and the project continues to move forward. If you have questions about this project or the changes to the timeline, please see the Frequently Asked Questions. 

SLC Updates:

The dining room and exterior doors near Campus Bubble will remain closed throughout the Spring term. Brubakers, Subway, Campus Bubble, Wasabi, and the dining hall seating are still closed but expected to open by the end of Spring 2018 term. 

Wasabi sushi is currently available in the International News. The Bomber and Tim Hortons in the SLC are open and offer a variety of food options.

The central stairs and ramp near the dining hall from the main floor to the second floor will also remain closed. There are signs directing you to alternate staircases and elevators.

A protective walkway has been installed outside the Mathematics and Computer (MC) building to prepare for the construction of the bridge link between the west side of the MC's third floor and the SLC. You can use this walkway to get between BMH Green/William Tutte Way and the SLC/QNC without going through the inside or around MC.

PAC updates:

All programming continues in the PAC including full operation of the pool, Warrior Zone, studios, squash courts and gym (small and main). The Customer Care Desk remains open and small change rooms are available to use. 

April 2018

SLC Updates

You'll notice lots of changes as the SLC/PAC Expansion project progresses into the Spring. In the SLC, the dining room and the exterior doors near Campus Bubble are now closed. The SLC can be accessed through the entrances near Ring Road, near the Turnkey desk, near Brubakers, or through the SLC/PAC link (second floor).

Brubakers, Subway, Campus Bubble, Wasabi and seating will be closed until further notice as construction moves into the dining area. The central stairs and ramp near the dining hall from the main floor to the second floor will also be closed. The elevator and the staircase near the Brubakers door will remain open. Access to the lower level will not be impacted at this time. The main stairwell is open, as are stairwells from the Great Hall or access through the loading dock doors.

For accessible access to The Women's Centre, Glow or Feds Student Food Bank; take the elevator located beside Brubaker’s to the basement, head right and follow the signs past CIBC to the elevator with access to Floor 2B.

A protective engineering walkway is being installed outside the Mathematics and Computer Building as part of the preparation for the construction of the bridge link between the west side of the MC's third floor and the Student Life Centre. 

PAC updates

The PAC will be closed April 16 - 27, 2018 for all activities including Warrior Zone, Squash courts, and the swimming pool. Exams will continue as scheduled in the main gym. 

For up-to-date information about the SLC/PAC expansion project, including entrance closures and service disruptions, follow the #UWSLCPAC hashtag on Twitter.

Construction continues on the SLC/PAC expansion. Here's a quick peek of what's going on behind the hoarding. 

For up-to-date information about the SLC/PAC expansion project, including entrance closures and service disruptions, follow the #UWSLCPAC hashtag on Twitter.

From Monday, December 11, 2017 to early January 2018, 90% of the cafeteria seating area in the SLC will be closed. Hoarding will stretch from the Brubaker’s emergency exit beside Subway to the Campus Bubble entrance. Access to this area is being limited in order to allow for excavation against the SLC’s existing foundation to begin safely. This work is expected to take approximately four weeks, weather permitting.

The Ring Road, Turnkey and Brubaker's (Pita Pit) entrances to the building will continue to be accessible during this time and all retail outlets and services in the building will remain open. Updated signage to help guide students in and around the building will be posted in the interim.

To compensate for the loss of student space during this phase of construction, additional tables will be added to the SLC Marketplace and the Multi-Purpose room on the main level. The Great Hall will remain open for use during this time. Twenty-seven temporary, quiet study area seats have also been created in the Math and Computer building, room 2037A.

PAC updates

Navigation of the PAC remains top-of-mind for Athletics and Recreation staff. In order to reflect the new layout and flow of the building, entrances will no longer be distinguished by “blue” and “red,” and instead will be relabeled based on their geographic location in early 2018. Currently, the two accessible entrances to the building are the former Red South and Blue South corners, now known simply as “South” and “West,” respectively.

Demolition and asbestos abatement continues to various areas of the building, including change rooms. There will be changes for female users with new temporary space being assigned as of January. More changes will come later in the term for both men and women. Please refer to wayfinding signage when looking for current amenities, or visit the temporary service desk located on the east corner of the main floor for assistance.

Excitingly, the former squash courts on the red side of the building are no more. This now open-concept area will soon host the PAC’s 11,000 square foot fitness facility, which includes the climbing wall. Take a look through the photos from the construction site below to see how far the PAC’s interior has come in just seven months.

September/October 2017

Note: The SLC / PAC Parking Lot will be closed on Monday, October 16, 2017 for the day. Visitor, metered, Watcard and service parking spots will be unavailable. Access to the loading dock will be maintained and monitored by Flag Persons that will direct vehicles and pedestrians safely around the zone. For parking options, check Portal. 

The past month on the SLC/PAC expansion construction site has been productive. A crane has been erected and concrete footings for the expansion have been poured. You'll begin to see the buildings' new structure take shape over the coming weeks.

The current layout of interior hoarding in the SLC will soon wrap up. The next phase of hoarding will remain in place well into the winter 2018 term. Initiatives to beautify the ‘fishbowl’ area of the SLC during construction during this time are currently being explored.

Throughout the PAC demolition, the construction crew has been saving exterior bricks from the building. These bricks will be re-purposed and integrated into the interior walls of the walls in the expansion.

Inside the PAC, asbestos abatement continues. Demolition of the squash courts to make way for 11,000 square feet of additional fitness centre space is also well underway.

The PAC interior wayfinding signage initiative continues to evolve as student and community member input is considered to make the building’s navigation more friendly and intuitive. Additional signs are being designed to assist visitors during large-scale events, like convocation. SLC/PAC construction will be limited during these events to ensure students and guests are able to enjoy their ceremonies uninterrupted. 

Update: As of October 25, 2017 the balance of the former men’s change-room will close. This includes the shower area, washrooms and sauna. A temporary access point to the pool will open allowing access for men.

A rinse station is available on deck and all showers and washrooms in the temporary men’s change-room will remain functional.

July/August 2017

If you’ve been away from campus during the spring term, you’ll see a sizeable difference around the SLC/ PAC. Over the past two months, Bondfield Construction has made considerable progress in the demolition of sections of the PAC, including the former men’s change room, staff office space, and squash courts. Directional signage has been hung throughout the PAC to provide new routes to the building’s remaining amenities. For a list of available services and equipment in the PAC, please visit the Athletics and Recreation website.

The Red North entrance to the building is now offline and will be unavailable throughout the duration of the project. Students looking to enter the PAC should do so through the Blue and Red South doors, which are located off of Ring Road. A new pathway leading around the construction site from BMH Green to Math has also been created.

The SLC has undergone a transformation over the summer months as well. The “fishbowl” windows overlooking the path between the SLC and MC, as well as courtyard doors, have been boarded to protect the glass during construction. Entrances between QNC (beside Bubble Tea) and off of Ring Road (between Tim Hortons and International News) are accessible to SLC patrons. All SLC businesses and services, including Subway and Bubble Tea, remain open at this time.

Clear signage marking new entrances and pathways into both the SLC and PAC have been posted around the construction site. It’s important to remember that throughout the project, no unauthorized staff, students or faculty are allowed to go past the hoarding or barricades and into the active construction site. For your safety and the safety of others, please remain aware of your surroundings and respect the barriers around the site.

During the fall term, the SLC/PAC Committee will roll-out wayfinding projects both in and around the affected buildings and will launch a student art initiative to decorate the meeting rooms and student space in the expansion. Check back soon for further details.

June 2017

On Monday, June 19, 2017, the construction phase of the SLC/PAC expansion project officially kicked off with a groundbreaking celebration on BMH Green. The event attracted nearly 200 attendees, representing undergraduate and graduate students, project stakeholders, faculty and staff. 

Following speeches from the event's MCs and current student-government Presidents Antonio Brieva (Federation of Students) and Robert Bruce (Graduate Student Association), the crowd was addressed by University of Waterloo President Feridun Hamdullahpur; Associate Provost, Students, Chris Read; and former Feds and GSA Presidents Chris Lolas and Maya D'Alessio, respectively.

During the celebration, attendees had the opportunity to leave their mark on the expansion – literally – by having their signatures incorporated into the design of the new building. Signatures will appear on vision strips that will run the length of the building on exterior glass walls. If you were unable to attend the event but would like to participate, signature books are available at the reception desk in the Feds' office in SLC, as well as in the Student Success Office's waiting area, SCH.  

Determining the process for soliciting student art that will be hung in bookable spaces, as well as enhanced indoor/outdoor wayfinding initiatives will be a focus for the committee in July/August 2017. 

May 2017

Construction to expand student space in the Student Life Centre (SLC) and Physical Activities Complex (PAC) begins on May 23, 2017.

While it won’t entirely be business-as-usual in both buildings throughout the duration of the project, careful accommodations have been made to ensure that students experience as few interruptions to campus life as possible. Here are the most recent impacts to take note of:

Navigating campus

• Construction fencing will be erected from the SLC courtyard to the PAC.

• The path from the BMH extension to SLC will be rerouted on to the BMH green.

• Signage on the fences, as well as the campus map, will be updated regularly to reflect changes to footpaths in an effort to ensure UWaterloo community members are able to navigate quickly and easily between buildings.

PAC service changes

• The first-floor men’s change room is now offline but remains open for day-locker use and pool access.

• The lower women's change room has been converted to men's change rooms.

• Squash courts on the red side of the building will be phased out of use; however, the blue side will remain open throughout construction.

• Fitness and conditioning equipment from the PAC will be relocated to the Warrior Zone or moved to the CIF. Warrior Zone will open June 26.

• There will be a disruption (length/timeline TBD) to the pool in Spring 2017 while a new corridor is built.

Details about changes to the PAC’s services can be found on the Athletics and Recreation website.

SLC service changes

• The SLC courtyard will be inaccessible. Community members are encouraged to take advantage of the new patio in the Arts Quad as an alternative.

• Two student meeting/ study spaces in the building will be impacted:

  • Part of SLC 3106 will be walled-off, though will still be accessible to students.

  • The glass walls around SLC 2143 will be removed and the space will remain unbookable until the project concludes.

  • Students looking for alternative study spaces should use the Study Space and Open Classrooms widgets on Portal.

• All Food Services outlets in the building, including Subway, will remain open until further notice.

For up-to-date information about the SLC/PAC expansion project, including entrance closures and service disruptions, follow the #UWSLCPAC hashtag on Twitter.

Curious about the construction process? Check out our project timeline below. More details are added as the project progresses and dates are subject to change. 

• Student referendum (February 2016)
  • Results of the SLC/PAC referendum were announced: undergraduate and graduate students voted to approve the expansion project 

• Detail design and student consultation (February 2016-January 2017)

  • A project team worked diligently to ensure every square foot of the expansion was designed with student needs and functionality as the top priority
  • Project team: Chris Lolas, current Feds President; Robert Bruce/Maya DAlessio, current and past GSA President; Scott Pearson, SLC Manager; Roly Webster, Director, Athletics; Ari Grossman, Associate Director, Business Operations, Athletics;  and Scott Nicoll, Manager, Space Planning
  • Chris Lolas, Maya DAlessio, Robert Bruce and Athletics staff consulted with students to ensure designs reflected their interests (e.g. multi-faith space, fitness centre, climbing wall/bouldering)
  • The Food Services team designed additional food options that will allow for more students to get top-quality, affordable food as quickly and easily as possible   
• Project plans to tender (January/February 2017) 
  • Construction companies were invited to submit proposals

• Review and selection of project bids (March 2017)
  • The recommended contractor bid brought to the UW Buildings and Properties Committee and to the Board of Governors Committee for final approval

• Start of construction (May 2017)
  • Digging begins!  Alternate pathways created to allow students to continue to use the facilities during this phase.

• Construction period (Spring term 2017 to Fall term 2019)
  • Some disruption to the delivery of SLC and PAC services during this time. Clear communication and signage changes are ongoing.

• Anticipated opening of the building (2019-2020)
  • Due to a variety of circumstances, the project completion was delayed until 2020 with some services and phases opening earlier as they are completed.
• Revised anticipated opening of the building due to COVID-19 (2020-2021)
  • Due to construction delay and public health restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the full project completion date is again delayed until 2021 with some services and phases opening earlier as they are completed.

For up-to-date information about the SLC/PAC expansion project, including entrance closures and service disruptions, follow the #UWSLCPAC hashtag on Twitter.