Grebel’s Residence Gets Cooler

Humid summers spent studying in sweltering residence rooms will soon be a faint memory for students at Grebel. On September 2nd, the day before student leaders began arriving for the new school year, inspectors were on site, contractors were packing up their office, and custodians were wiping away the construction dust. That day marked the completion of the two-year residence renewal construction project and a significant environmental goal realized.

Grebel’s residence opened 63 years ago, and aging infrastructure necessitated a major overhaul of the residence washrooms—the plumbing in particular. Four washrooms were renovated last summer, and the remaining two this year. Brand new toilets, piping, sinks, showerheads, flooring, lighting, and tiling were installed, with higher showerheads for tall residents and drop-down shower seats for increased accessibility. Toilet and shower stalls now have extended partition doors to accommodate all genders and provide greater privacy, along with reinforced shelves and hooks for towels and toiletries. 

As climate change creates unpredictable and unhealthy living conditions, it was also important to ensure students have clean air to breathe in the future. Every room is now equipped with air conditioning, as the residence converted to air source heat pumps for the heating, ventilation, and cooling systems. Students won’t overheat on hot days, pollutants like wildfire smoke can be filtered out, and the residence will be more hospitable for students and conference guests in the summer.

Other aspects of the renewal project included updating lighting and ceilings in common spaces, heat recovery infrastructure, a renovated games lounge and fitness centre, refreshed and newly furnished upper lounges, improvements to the Campus Host apartment, and updated electrical infrastructure. Caring for the building is a part of ensuring its longevity and livability.
“I can’t wait for students to arrive this fall and experience a cooler, brighter, and more welcoming Grebel,” remarked Mimi Browne, Director of Operations. “The air conditioning has already been a game changer during our summer camps. Beyond the immediate benefits, this project is a critical investment in Grebel’s future,” she added, “allowing us to maintain high-quality living and gathering spaces while advancing our commitment to environmental sustainability through infrastructure upgrades that will reduce emissions and improve efficiency for years to come.”

The completion of this project also represents a major sustainability milestone. Three years ago, as the Grebel community began looking into renewing the residence, the College’s Green Team set an ambitious environmental target: to reduce Grebel’s greenhouse gases by 35% by the year 2030, as compared to 2019 levels. “The strong progress seen to date gives us confidence that the emissions reduction goal is within reach, and a full year of data monitoring will provide definitive confirmation,” said Mimi. “This project demonstrates Grebel’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability leadership within the campus community.” 

To fund these essential upgrades and meet the emissions reduction target, the College convened a fundraising advisory committee and established the Windows to the Future capital campaign. Over three years, the Grebel community came together to pledge more than $4.4 million. Friends and alumni shared different motivations for giving. Some wanted to honour an alum or family member who had passed away, roommates reconnected to give together, multi-generations demonstrated their values of philanthropy, friendships were celebrated, and many alumni recognized the impact of Grebel in their lives. Everyone was motivated to ensure that future students will continue to have a distinctive and supportive residence experience.

“Thank you to all who contributed to this campaign. It’s an incredible testament to the generosity of the broader Grebel community,” said Chris Brnjas, Director of Development. “Our donors stepping up to support this work affirms the unique value that Grebel continues to offer our students. The campaign’s success is a powerful statement that present and future generations of Grebelites are worth investing in.”

As the school year begins, students are settling into the renewed spaces. The toilets flush with ease. Washroom privacy has improved. The hallways are bright and busy. Lounges are clean and welcoming. The smell of sweat has diminished. And students feel proud of their residence spaces, where community is built and lifelong friendship begin. These improvements will serve students for years to come. The College is deeply grateful to the donors who gave more than $4.4 million to make this renewal possible and ensure that generations of students can continue to call Grebel home.