New residence to replace TachÉ Hall
First step in Project Domino planned for fall 2010
Magally Zelaya, Staff
As upgrades to Taché Hall Residence would prove too costly, the university has proposed to build a new student residence across from Mary Speechly residence and south of Arthur V. Mauro residence as part of the $100-million Project Domino redevelopment plan unveiled last week.
A new residence building would be the only new building called for by the project, which at this time is not yet finalized.
After the new residence is completed, Project Domino calls for the Faculty of Music and Faculty of Art to move into Taché Hall.
“The big domino effect depends upon building a new residence,” said Norm Hunter, chair of the Senate planning and priorities committee and Chemistry department head.
According to Hunter, Taché Hall, home to 350 students, is outdated in comparison to other residences across the country.
He noted that most new residences have individual bathrooms and that Taché only has communal washrooms as well as a sprinkler system that does not work.
“It would be a horrendously expensive job to convert Taché into current code and current practice for residence,” he said.
Rewiring the building would also come at a great cost as the project’s executive summary states, “Necessary IT work on Taché Residence within the next two years is at least $500,000.”
The proposed new residence would provide different housing options currently unavailable at the U of M, such as housing for married students as well as specifically for graduate students in addition to private rooms and suites for two, four and six.
The proposed location for the new residence, in the current D parking lot, is not finalized at this time but was chosen for its proximity to the other residences.
“It was the natural choice at least on a preliminary basis,” said Alan Simms, associate vice-president (administration). “We’re still looking at sites.”
“[The location] will allow us to develop a residence cluster along MacLean Crescent, said Simms. “It keeps the vitality of that street.”
Since the plans are preliminary, Hunter said it “didn’t make a lot of sense” to conduct a feasibility study.
Once built, the new residence would be self-funding like all other residences on campus, which operate on a cost-recovery basis.
A consultation to get student feedback was already held on March 25. Another is scheduled for March 27, in the Pembina Hall dining room from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m..
“We want to start thinking about this,” said Simms. “It takes a long time to plan construction of a residence.”
Rachel Heinrichs, UMSU vice-president (advocacy), said she is pleased that the university is consulting with students.
“I just hope that there is extensive student input on what their needs are,” she said.
Project Domino is expected to be completed within five years.
“You’ve got to build a residence before you can do much at all, and we don’t even have a plan or the money for the residence yet,” said Hunter.
The university has not yet determined where funding for Project Domino will come from.
“You don’t have to have 100 million in the bank to start this,” said Hunter. “But you have to have a pretty good idea that you can get a hundred million before you do.”
Funding for the project is expected to come from a contribution from the provincial government, loans, fundraising and donations.
Hunter remained optimistic.
“Hopefully, a year from now they’re digging the ground for a new residence,” he said. “Then you’re looking at about a year to build a building.”
