Minister Marlin Schmidt and President Elizabeth Cannon talk about the MacKimmie redevelopment.
Riley Brandt, University of Calgary
May 5, 2016
Province confirms funding for MacKimmie Complex and Professional Faculties building
Major redevelopment brings much-needed academic space to main campus
On Friday, April 29, Marlin Schmidt, minister of Advanced Education toured the main campus and reconfirmed the government’s commitment of $8.6 million each year for two years for the planning phase of the MacKimmie Complex and Professional Facilities redevelopment.
“We appreciate the support of the provincial government, as it is critical for meeting the growing demand from current students and those looking to upgrade their skills,” says President and Vice-Chancellor Elizabeth Cannon. “The redevelopment will allow us to consolidate student services and add new study and classroom space within the heart of the main campus.”
The project will allow consolidation of student-focused services and add new study and classroom space within the heart of the main campus. Administrative functions will be consolidated in the top floors of the MacKimmie Tower to free up easily-accessible space for academic programming and services on the lower floors of the tower and in other buildings on the main campus.
Nursing and Social Work directly affected
The faculties of Nursing and Social Work will benefit directly. With the relocation of the Faculty of Social Work to the redeveloped MacKimmie Tower, the Faculty of Nursing will be able to consolidate programming in the Professional Faculties building. Both faculties will have the physical space to grow and allow more access to students.
“This is a good news story for the university,” says Bart Becker, vice president, facilities. “Now that we have funding confirmed for the next two years, we’re going to thoughtfully plan how we’ll redevelop this space. We’ll also be engaging our stakeholders in this process.” Several options for the redevelopment will be considered in the planning phase, including repurposing the existing buildings.
MacKimmie Complex: a piece of UCalgary history
The original MacKimmie Block was completed in 1963 and housed the Registrar’s office, communications and media services, and seminar rooms used by continuing education. The block currently houses Student Enrolment Services, other administrative offices, as well as approximately 300 student study seats. The MacKimmie Tower, along with the link to the block, was completed in 1972. The complex housed the university’s main library collection until 2009 when the Taylor Family Digital Library opened.