Announcements
Building C recurring electrical shutdowns – Dec 16 – 20, 2024
Please be advised, that there will be a scheduled recurring electrical shutdowns in Building C from Monday, December 16, 2024, through Friday, December 20, 2024, between 8:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. to complete electrical infrastructure improvements related to the campus accessibility improvements project.
During this time, regular power on floors 2 through 5 will be unavailable; however, emergency power will remain active for critical systems infrastructure. The DARE District portion of Building C will not be affected by these shutdowns.
ITS has recommended that anyone with desktops or other devices in their offices save their work and power down their equipment before leaving each day to prevent any potential data loss or issues during the shutdown. Please note that remote desktop or laptop access may be offline during the shutdown period.
Additionally, as a reminder, concurrent abatement work will be completed during the same partial timeframe mentioned above. A related notice was issued earlier to the AC community on myAC here.
The project team appreciates your patience and understanding during the course of this work.
New room numbering in Building A to improve accessibility and safety
As part of our commitment to providing an exceptional campus experience, we’re excited to announce changes to the room numbering in Building A (levels 1 and 2). Currently, A Building’s room numbers are illogical, out of sequence and internal systems are out of date. This, coupled with limited signage installed throughout, has created a very difficult building to navigate.
On February 4, 2025, all rooms in Building A will be assigned a new, four-digit room numbers and receive updated signage. These updates are designed to enhance safety, streamline wayfinding and improve accessibility.
What you need to know
- When: The new numbering system will take effect on Feb. 4, 2025.
- What’s changing: All rooms in Building A will receive new signage reflecting the updated numbers.
- Levels 1 and 2 of Building A have been renumbered, Level 0 will remain as is
- All A Building numbers will now be 4 digits, (1000 vs. 100)
- All A Building numbers will remove the W prefix throughout (level 0 included)
Thank you for your understanding as we make these exciting improvements to your campus experience.
Major disruptions to Buildings P and V planned for spring/summer 2025
Facilities Management is preparing for significant capital projects, pending approval by the Board of Governors, to upgrade buildings P and V. These projects are set to begin in Spring 2025 and will include major mechanical system replacements, roof replacement with photovoltaic system installations, flooring replacements, and renovations to vestibules and elevators.
Work around building exteriors, including the roof and photovoltaic systems, is scheduled to start in early spring, while the main mechanical upgrades will begin in late April and are expected to continue through to the end of August. Building P will experience floor-by-floor shutdowns of the mechanical systems, with each floor affected for approximately 3-5 weeks. We are working on a phased schedule to reduce the impact on occupants as much as possible during this time.
Elevator access in Building P will be unavailable from late April until late August due to a full renovation, which will impact access to the third floor. The second floor will remain accessible via the pedestrian link. Building V, meanwhile, will be completely offline for the duration of the major renovation period from late April through late August.
Facilities Management is currently working on the detailed scheduling, which will be finalized once we confirm contractor selection and a complete project plan.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to enhance our campus facilities.
We understand that these upgrades will significantly affect campus operations and provide this advanced notice to help everyone plan accordingly for a busy spring and summer in 2025. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact the Facilities Management Service Desk at 613-727-4723 ext. 7710. The Service Desk is available Monday to Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., or via email at 7710@algonquincollege.com.
Immersive Lab Project in Building P (P207-P209)
Dear Algonquin College Community,
We are excited to inform you about the upcoming Immersive Lab Project in Building P, which will take place between September 9, 2024 and December 15, 2024. This project aims to enhance our facilities and will be ready for academic use in the winter term.
As part of this initiative, we will need to conduct demolition work in the offices located in P207 and P209. While we aim to minimize disruptions, please be aware that there may be an increase in noise levels during certain phases of the work, particularly during the demolition process. Some classes may also be relocated on specific days to accommodate the project.
Facilities Management and our contractors will make every effort to reduce the impact on the college’s day-to-day operations and ensure that any disruptions are kept to a minimum.
We appreciate your understanding and support as we work to complete this project on time and continue making Algonquin College a better place.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Science Labs Major Capital Project Construction Start – Ottawa Campus
Facilities Management is delighted to announce the start of a major capital project that has been in planning and design for the past nine months. After receiving the Board of Governors’ approval, the Science Lab Major Capital Project will commence on-site on July 22, 2024, with construction expected to remain active until August 2025.
The project location is in the old Fitness Zone in A Building, as indicated in the attached sketch. Thomas Cavanagh Construction will lead the construction activities as the general contractor, supported by a design team from the College’s vendor of records.
This project represents one of the highest investments in recent years for the College. It involves the construction of three biosafety level 2 labs, two chemistry labs, ancillary spaces, and a research area. The project will serve three different schools within Algonquin College and will provide students with hands-on experience in state-of-the-art labs.
During the course of the project construction, some disturbances in these areas are expected. Facilities Management will issue additional notices regarding any specific requirements or changes as they arise. If there is any impact on parking, we will identify and communicate that impact in advance.
Building C Ramp Closure – July 2 – August 30, 2024
Please be advised there will be a closure of the exterior ramp at the main entrance to Building C beginning July 2, 2024 until August 30, 2024 to complete accessibility improvements. An alternate access will be provided near the Executive Parking lot adjacent to Building C, wayfinding signage will be posted for duration of the closure. Although the ParaTranspo drop-off will remain available, patrons who require ramp access to Building C are encouraged to schedule any pick-up/drop-offs at Building E for reduced travel distance and convenience.
Please respect any construction safety signage and barricades that have been put in place. The project team appreciates your patience and understanding during the course of this work.
Accessibility Improvements in ACCE, B, J, T, P, and E Buildings
As part of the ongoing Campus Accessibility Major Capital Project, Algonquin College is committed to enhancing accessibility across all three of our physical campuses. With an investment of up to $10,000,000 from 2021 to 2026, significant strides have been made, particularly within the Ottawa campus in buildings ACCE, B, J, T, P, and E.
The improvements aim to create a more inclusive environment and encompass various enhancements, including:
- Installation of lever-style handles on doors
- Application of color-contrasting slip-resistant strips on stair nosing’s
- Lighting improvements in washrooms
- Lowering of urinals
- Addition and updating of grip bars in multiple washrooms
- Introduction of new universal washrooms
- Height reductions of life-safety devices such as fire extinguishers
Work is ongoing, and the changes made thus far have positively impacted the Ottawa campus. To date, one of the most noticeable improvements has been the installation of tactile wayfinding strips at the top and bottom of stairs, changes in elevation, and near elevators. While some members of the college community have expressed concerns about potential tripping hazards, Facilities Management reassures everyone that these installations have been thoroughly inspected by project architects and comply with all relevant codes. The tactile strips are designed to provide additional guidance to individuals with vision impairments, helping them navigate the campus more effectively.
For the current fiscal year, work at the Perth and Pembroke campuses will continue until March 31, 2024. Starting in April 2024, additional improvements will take place across the Ottawa campus, targeting buildings such as the Residence, A, C, D, H, K, N S, V, Z, as well as exterior pathways and parking areas.
To view images of the tactile wayfinding indicators and their various styles used around the Ottawa campus, please see below.
Algonquin College’s investment in accessibility exceeds the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act legislation, benefiting all users of our campus. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Facilities Management at 7710@algonquincollege.com.
Thank you for your cooperation and support as we continue to enhance accessibility across our campuses.
If you have any concerns or questions about any disruption or shutdown notices, please contact the Facilities Management Service Desk at 613-727-4723 ext. 7710 Monday to Friday, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or via email at 7710@algonquincollege.com