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.
