Opening of new SFU Student Union Building delayed again to 2020

Artistic rendering of the new Student Union Building at Simon Fraser University's Burnaby Mountain campus. (Perkins + Will / SFSS)

Another school year will elapse before students at Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Burnaby Mountain can use the new SFU Student Union Building (SUB).

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The $55-million SUB was originally slated for a Fall 2018 opening, before it was pushed to Summer 2019 and now ultimately March 2020. Construction first began in June 2016.

According to Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS), the project is now over 90% complete, with construction expected to reach completion in December 2019. Additional time thereafter is required for SFSS and clubs to move in and outfit the space.

Simon Fraser University Student Union Building SFU

Artistic rendering of the new Student Union Building at Simon Fraser University’s Burnaby Mountain campus. (Perkins + Will / SFSS)

Jasdeep Gill, the vice-president of external relations for SFSS, previously told Daily Hive the construction schedule’s first two winters were hampered with heavy snowfall, which slowed down concrete pouring and underground work.

In a recent project status update, the student union states Pro-Can Construction Group continues to have difficulty with finding enough workers to build the project based on the initial timeline.

As well, it says “an unexpected request” from fire inspectors has added another six weeks to the construction schedule.

The university is managing the contractor and consultants on behalf of SFSS.

Despite the extensive delays, the cost of the project to SFSS and SFU has not increased, as the construction is based on a fixed-price contract.

Artistic rendering of the new Student Union Building at Simon Fraser University’s Burnaby Mountain campus. (Perkins + Will / SFSS)

The SUB, spanning a floor area of 111,000-sq-ft, is located on the south side of Freedom Square between the Maggie Benston Centre and the Academic Quadrangle.

Spanning five levels, the new facility includes quiet study and group study spaces, lounges, food and retail, dining areas, a gamers lounge for playing video games, a recreational room with pool tables and ping pong tables, and a napping room with lounge chairs and modular sofas.

Artistic rendering of the new Student Union Building at Simon Fraser University’s Burnaby Mountain campus. (Perkins + Will / SFSS)

There will also be a community kitchen, rehearsal rooms for dance and music practices, student club offices, a 3,200-sq-ft shared space for student clubs to use, and meeting and multi-use spaces, including a ballroom on the top floor with spectacular views of the North Shore mountains.

The student fee-funded building is designed by local architectural firm Perkins + Will. A LEED Gold green building standard is targeted.

Artistic rendering of the new Student Union Building at Simon Fraser University’s Burnaby Mountain campus. (Perkins + Will / SFSS)

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