Laurentian University announces new spending to address maintenance deficit
Laurentian University has approved $8.4 million in spending on deferred maintenance this year.
The university’s board of governors has approved the spending as part of the institution's on-going efforts to address recommendations from the Auditor General’s report on the issues that led to Laurentian's insolvency. LU has created a new five-year maintenance plan calling for an additional $7.8 million per year to be spent on deferred maintenance projects.
"The total deferred maintenance backlog that has been identified for the university is over $135 million," said interim vice-president of finance and administration Michel Piche.
The VP said there will be work for years to come.
"We found that the primary cause of Laurentian’s financial decline was its pursuit of major capital projects without adequate consideration for how they would be collectively funded or ultimately used,” Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk said, in her report last November.
“These investments to the campus infrastructure are critical,” said board chair Jeff Bangs, in a news release Tuesday.
“The goal is to maintain facilities over the next five years before costly emergency repairs are necessary.”
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
University President Sheila Embleton said any university has a very long list of deferred maintenance and never enough money.
"(We do) the most urgent ones first," she said.
The expenditure will be funded by the university’s operating fund and an estimated $2.6 million from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities’ Facilities Renewal Program.
“The project list includes multiple roofing projects, residence renovations, and various accessibility improvements,” said Bangs.
This spending will be used to renew many campus facilities, including:
- Alphonse Raymond Building roof
- Jeno Tihanyi Pool
- Arts Building roof
- Science 2 Building roof
- Residence renovations
- Electrical upgrades
- Ventilation upgrades
- Modernization of elevators
- Campus washrooms
- Multiple outdoor stair repairs
Faculty Association President Fabrice Colin told CTV News that many of these maintenance projects had been delayed even before Laurentians had entered the CCAA, but he feels this spending is a step in the right direction.
One of the most talked about projects on campus is the university’s plan to spend up to $300,000 to address immediate issues with the pool.
“There’s a real commitment to doing the best they can to get the pool going,” said head coach Dean Henze, in a previous interview with CTV News.
Current LU student Avery Morin said the campus has many beautiful outdoor spaces and it would be nice to have interior ones that match.
“I think going for a swim after a long day of studying would be a be a great way to spend my time,” said Morin.
“There’s a real commitment to doing the best they can to get the pool going,” said head coach Dean Henze, in a previous interview with CTV News.
Piche said once they are sure the pool can properly hold and maintain water other safety issues will have to be addressed before it can reopen.
Officials said these investments in the future of the university are key to the renewal and long-term viability of the campus infrastructure.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Trump fined US$1,000 for gag order violation in hush money case as judge warns of possible jail time
The judge presiding over Donald Trump's hush money trial has fined him US$1,000 for violating his gag order and sternly warned the former president that additional violation could result in jail time.
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
When grief and AI collide: These people are communicating with the dead
AI tools can offer recommendations, answer questions and 'talk' with users. But some users are using them to recreate the likeness of the dead.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
WestJet, mechanics union agree to tentative deal to avoid strike
A potential strike between WestJet and its mechanics union appears to have been avoided.
Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after angry exchange with senior Western officials
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.