Thanks to the generous support of our donors and the vision of the profession, the School of Optometry and Vision Science is moving closer breaking ground on the Waterloo Eye Institute (WEI).
After much interest in the project, the School elected to work with international architect firm HOK. Using their extensive expertise in designing centres - such as Duke Eye Centre and the University of Missouri - St. Louis, College of Optometry - they are bringing our collective vision of the Waterloo Eye Institute to life. The HOK team includes architect Chris Downey, who brings a unique perspective to the design based on his personal experience with acquired blindness. Woven throughout the fabric of the project is a desire to provide an exceptional patient care experience.
With initial architectural drawings now complete, the two-story, 67,000 sq. ft. Waterloo Eye Institute will be a combination of existing and new facilities.
All optometry clinical services will move to the first floor, allowing for the expansion of specialized services in ocular disease, dry eye, myopia control, and vision therapy. Clinical research will also have a permanent home on the first floor with the goal of expanding our ability to direct clinical trials as well as medtech evaluation and development. Coordination with the patient care services will promote a welcoming environment to encourage participation in activity that goes beyond optometry to include other UWaterloo faculties such as Health and Engineering.
The second floor will feature an ambulatory surgical centre with three operatories, and an observation deck. It will also include the supporting infrastructure needed to promote an inter-collaborative and inter-disciplinary teaching, education and patient care environment that will expand ophthalmological services for the Waterloo Region.
Complementing these services will be a Telehealth Centre, featuring programs that support tele-optometry, tele-rehabilitation and a diagnostic imaging and reading centre. A new biological sciences research lab will complete the second floor, expanding the School’s capacity to promote research from cell to society that range from understanding the development of age-related macular degeneration, nano-particle drug delivery through contact lenses, to population health studies to support public health policy.
Breaking ground
This ambitious project will be made possible thanks to support for the School’s $35 million Seeing Beyond 2020 campaign, bringing together the profession, industry partners, foundations, friends, community members, and the university.
With 50% of the funding raised for the Waterloo Eye Institute, the School is now able to engage the University for formal approval to enter the building phase. Pending approval this spring, construction on the Institute is slated to begin as early as fall 2021 / spring 2022!
Grateful for your generosity
Although 2020 was not the year we imagined due to the pandemic, we were humbled by the extraordinary support we received from the profession. Our campaign tag line ‘Seeing Beyond 2020’ is more relevant than we could have imagined!
Last year, Dr. Carol Cressman challenged optometrists to step forward with their support by offering to match donations made in 2020, up to $500,000. Not only was that goal met, but our supporters stepped forward with gifts totaling over $825,000!
The School was also proud to have led the day for the University of Waterloo’s Giving Tuesday campaign held on December 1, 2020. Thanks to you, the School raised close to $75,000 in new gifts, pledges, and matching funds which gave us the distinction of “most dollars raised” across the entirety of the University of Waterloo.
There were many other outstanding gifts and good news stories from last year that we look forward to sharing. In the coming months, we will be launching a new donor spotlight initiative to highlight the support of our donors from coast to coast. Stay tuned!
Thank you to our wonderful donors who have stepped up to support the Seeing Beyond 2020 campaign and the Waterloo Eye Institute. The momentum we have built and the progress we have made is because of you.
There is still a long way to go as we look to raise the second half of the funding. We look forward to working with the profession, our corporate partners, friends, local community, and the government to help make our vision a reality.
Consulting with the experts – You!
Over the last year, the School has hosted virtual presentations with optometrists across the country to share our vision and respond to your questions. It has been great to ‘see’ your familiar faces. A silver lining to our increasingly virtual world has been how much easier it is to connect with those near and far.
If you have not yet had the opportunity to participate, we encourage you to join us in our upcoming sessions. We have more ‘visuals’ to share with you!
We are grateful to all who have offered their invaluable insight so far and to everyone who has shown an interest in getting involved. Thank you!
Interested in telling your story? Would you like to get involved?
If so, contact Andrea at acarthew@uwaterloo.ca. We are eager to hear from you!
