Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to page-level navigation Go to the Disability Resource Centre Website Go to the DRC Booking Accommodation Portal Go to the Inclusive Technology Lab Website
The University of British Columbia
UBC - A Place of Mind
The University of British Columbia Okanagan campus
UBC Okanagan News
  • Research
  • People
    • Student Profile
    • Faculty Profile
    • Alumni Spotlight
  • Campus Life
    • Campus News
    • Student Life
    • Teaching & Learning
  • Community Engagement
  • About the Collection
    • Stories for Media
  • UBCO Events
  • Search All Stories
Home / 2018 / August / 31 / Campus facilities update
Campus News

Campus facilities update

August 31, 2018

The UBC Okanagan community will see a variety of exciting changes on campus over the coming academic year, including:

  • the opening of new teaching, study and research space
  • the start of new building construction
  • significant improvements to campus access with the opening of new cycling and other routes to the university neighbourhood

Here’s a quick look at some of the changes coming to our campus this year.

Student residence expansion

Planning is underway for two new student residence projects approved by UBC’s Board of Governors earlier this year, with construction expected to begin in early 2019:

  • The Nechako Housing Commons between the University Centre and the Commons Field will feature a 500-seat dining hall in the lower level and 220 beds in four upper storeys of residences
  • A new 220-bed Skeena residence will be built adjacent to the Purcell residence.

The Commons to open later this term

Construction continues on The Commons (formerly known as the Teaching and Learning Centre). Expected to be open for use later in the first term, this important multi-purpose student learning facility beside the existing Library building will feature more than 65,000 sq. ft. (6,000 sq. m.) of space.

Facilities in The Commons will include the Hon. D. Ross Fitzpatrick Great Hall, the Lois and Cliff Serwa Reading Room, a 400-seat classroom, Visualization and Emerging Media Studio, UBC Studios Okanagan, and Special Collections and Archives.

Upper Campus Health Building

The former Mountain Weather Office, on Discovery Ave. in the northwest area of campus, is now the Upper Campus Health Building and has been reconfigured to support research in health and exercise sciences.

Cycling routes to campus

The City of Kelowna is nearing completion of a number of cycling routes that will be available for use this fall. These include:

  • A multi-use pathway adjacent to John Hindle Drive connecting to Glenmore Road to the west
  • The Okanagan Rail Trail connecting to the Kelowna Airport to the north and downtown to the south
  • A cyclist and pedestrian overpass over John Hindle Drive, connecting UBC Okanagan with the Academy Hill neighbourhood to the south

Also enhancing cycling access to campus is the Acland Road / Bulman Road / Highway 97 underpass connecting UBC Okanagan with the Okanagan Rail Trail and Rutland to the east.

The number of bike racks and lockers on campus is being significantly increased to support the expected increase in trips to and from campus by bike. Read more about getting to campus

Wayfinding map update

Please note that the UBC Okanagan campus wayfinding map is being updated to include the latest road changes, and the new version will be published online on Tuesday, September 4, as new routes to campus are opened.

For more about UBC Okanagan projects, visit the Campus Planning and Development website.

Content type: Exchange
More content from: Campus Planning

Trending Stories

  • Opening doors for international student research
  • UBCO honours this year’s most outstanding researchers
  • Why don’t we eat turkey eggs?
  • Cutting breakfast carbs can benefit people with Type 2 ...
  • Call for Canada to braid Indigenous rights with endangered ...
All Stories
UBCO Events

About UBC Okanagan

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning founded in partnership with local Indigenous peoples, the Syilx Okanagan Nation, in whose traditional, ancestral and unceded territory the campus resides. The most established and influential global rankings all consistently place UBC in the top five per cent of universities in the world, and among the top three Canadian universities.

The Okanagan campus combines a globally recognized UBC education with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community that welcomes students and faculty from around the world in British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley. For more visit ok.ubc.ca.

Discover more about UBC Okanagan

Find a Program Admissions Book a Tour UBCO Facts
UBC Okanagan Campus News, University Relations

Innovation Precinct Annexation 1 (IA1)
3505 Spectrum Court
Kelowna, BC Canada V1V 2Z1

We respectfully acknowledge the Syilx Okanagan Nation and their peoples, in whose traditional, ancestral, unceded territory UBC Okanagan is situated.

 

Search all stories

Subscribe to receive news by email

Visit UBC's Vancouver news room

Global and Admin Messages

News

Okanagan Campus

TikTok icon Linkedin icon

UBC Okanagan News
Okanagan Campus
3333 University Way
Kelowna, BC Canada V1V 1V7
Find us on
  
Back to top
The University of British Columbia
  • Emergency Procedures |
  • Terms of Use |
  • Copyright |
  • Accessibility