BOOO to soaring costs
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Cost of Place Riel renovations "soaring," says student executive
By Luke Simcoe, TheStarPhoenix.com
Published: Sunday, September 07, 2008
SASKATOON -- According to the University of Saskatchewan Student Union (USSU), the renovation of the Place Riel student centre is a saga that has been going on for over 25 years.
Last week, students found out that it will likely be going on for a little longer.
Renovation and expansion of the student centre, which was originally built in 1981, was slated to begin this month, but expected cost overruns of approximately $5 million have threatened to delay, or possibly even derail the project, said USSU representative Jeremy Ring.
The renovations would include more space for students, additional food vendors and retail outlets, a new USSU office, and a two-floor health and wellness centre.
Originally budgeted at $16 million, the improvements are now expected to ring in at $21 million.
Ring says that rising building expenses and unanticipated design changes are to blame for the project's increased price tag.
"Construction costs are soaring out of control," he said.
When they discovered that it was over budget, Ring and the other USSU executives chose not to take the project to the university's approval board in July.
"It's kind of at this apex," said Ring. "Do we push forward, or do we scale back?"
There's also the possibility that the University Student's Council (USC) will decide not to go ahead with the proposed renovations even though the planning stages have already cost students approximately $272,000.
"We've tried to not think about that," Ring said. "We want to proceed with the project as planned."
As the renovations are to be funded entirely by the student body, whether or not the project proceeds will depend on student's willingness to accept an additional fee increase.
Ring describes the situation as "very precarious," as there was no referendum in 2007 when students' infrastructure fees were raised from ten dollars to $44 per term in order to fund the Place Riel project.
"That's a 440 percent increase," Ring noted.
Still, Ring said that many students have come to him and voiced their support for the project despite the increased cost.
He added that "even if it's an unpopular decision, twenty years from now when students are still enjoying it, it will be looked at as the smartest decision."
Although the University is shouldering the $10 million cost of the health and wellness centre, an aspect not included in the USSU's budget, it's remaining at arms length from the project.
"We very much respect (the student union's) own governance and independence," said Richard Florizone, vice president of finance and resources for the university.
Florizone admits that even when it was first built, Place Riel was considered by many to be too small, but he says the university has no plans to open its wallet should students decide against raising fees.
"Students will need to make some choices," Florizone said.
Those wishing to find out more about Place Riel's future can attend an orientation on Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. in the university's arts building. Architects, project managers and accountants will be on hand to answer questions.
"If students want to get engaged with this, it's the single most important meeting to attend," said Ring.
© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon)
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Car sharing coming to Saskatoon?
By Luke Simcoe, TheStarPhoenix.com
Published: Saturday, September 06, 2008
SASKATOON -- Fed up with skyrocketing gas prices? Tired of costly car repairs and insurance premiums? Sick of driving in circles trying to find a parking spot?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might be a candidate for car sharing.
Originating in Europe, car sharing is a unique form of car rental where users can rent cars for short periods of time, often by the hour. Car sharing organizations can take many forms, but they are often either commercial enterprises such as Zipcar of Flexcar, or non-profit cooperatives like the Cooperative Auto Network (CAN) in Vancouver.
Car sharing provides an alternative for those who don't necessarily want to own an automobile, but still need the convenience that a car provides.
Heather Trueman believes that a car sharing program would go a long way towards making Saskatoon a more environmentally-friendly city.
"We need to do things differently," she says. "We need to find ways of getting people driving less."
Trueman, an environmentalist and self-styled sustainability consultant, has spent the last few months studying the feasibility of a car sharing cooperative in Saskatoon.
She has seen successful car sharing initiatives arise in larger cities like Toronto and Vancouver, and she believes that the time is right to push for something similar here.
"I think we're sufficiently green enough now that this might actually fly," Trueman says.
Trueman was hired to help start a car sharing co-op in Saskatoon by Brian Sawatzky, the owner of the Confederation Inn on Fairlight Drive.
Sawatzky, a former science teacher, is passionate about environmental causes. He recently "greened up" his business by installing a solar panel on the inn's roof and working to conserve energy and water. He claims to have reduced the inn's total CO2 output by 30 per cent and hopes to reduce it further in the near future.
"He's very interested in promoting green things in Saskatoon," says Trueman of Sawatzky.
Sawatzky believed the city was ready for a car sharing program, and he decided that someone needed to get the ball rolling.
"I don't see nearly as much leadership from politicians as there should be, so individuals have to start carrying the load," he says.
For anyone who wants to learn more about car sharing, or get involved with the program in Saskatoon, Trueman will be hosting a meeting on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Victoria School library located at 639 Broadway Ave.
[email protected]
© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon)
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Most people forget that interiors are just as important if not more important then the exterior b/c that is where all interactions take place. By the sounds of their description it shouldn't be a let down, hopefully it's not another bessborough disaster
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