(February 21, 2023) - Laurentian University's Board of Governors has approved $8.4 million in spending on deferred maintenance for 2023-2024. The 5-year plan (ending in 2028) calls for an additional $7.6M in annual spending for deferred maintenance projects.
“These investments to the campus infrastructure are critical. The goal is to maintain facilities over the next five years before costly emergency repairs are necessary. The project list includes multiple roofing projects, residence renovations, and various accessibility improvements,” said Jeff Bangs, Chair of the Board of Governors.
The approved maintenance will be funded jointly by the Ministry of Colleges & Universities’ Facilities Renewal Program (estimated at $2.6 million) and the University’s operating fund ($5.8 million).
The spending will support the renewal of multiple campus facilities including:
- Alphonse Raymond Building roof
- Arts Building roof
- Science 2 Building roof
- Jeno Tihanyi Pool*
- Residence renovations
- Electrical upgrades
- Ventilation upgrades
- Modernization of elevators
- Campus washrooms
- Multiple outdoor stair repairs
*The total amount required to fund the pool deferred maintenance projects is not yet determined, though the University is planning to spend up to $300,000 to address immediate issues.
The submission of Laurentian’s 2023-24 deferred maintenance projects and its five-year deferred maintenance plan addresses the Auditor General’s recommendation to provide information on the University’s annual capital life cycle maintenance report.
These investments in the future of the University are key to the renewal and long-term viability of the campus infrastructure.