The pandemic didn’t slow things down construction wise, at the University of Saskatchewan, it actually added some projects.

Greg Fowler, Vice-President of Finance and Resources, says work that was to be completed outside like road paving and the Griffiths Stadium turf replacement went well because of the closed campus, and less traffic.
Fowler explains they are right on track to spend $42 million in capital and then a project was added, on campus, at VIDO-Intervac. A vaccine manufacturing facility is scheduled to be completed December of 2021, and Fowler says this will give Saskatoon and Canada the ability to produce and manufacture vaccines.

Other projects the school undertook included a Prince Albert Campus, a expansion to the daycare and new flooring at the Edwards School of Business.
Fowler says a plan for optimizing energy efficiency in University buildings was delayed, due to safety concerns and less staff on campus, but is currently back on track.

2021 will also be a big year for projects at the University of Saskatchewan. Fowler says the school is moving forward with a renewal project for core campus buildings.
This includes the main buildings around the campus bowl and is based off a $85 million bond that was obtained a few years ago.

The buildings included in the upgrade include Thorvaldson (the chemistry building), Murray (the library), W.P Thompson (biology building), the psychics building and the arts building.

Fowler explains some of the work like in the biology building will include a fairly significant retro-fit, while projects like the arts building will include some classroom and mechanical upgrades.
Fowler says a good portion of the buildings needing upgrades were built in the 60’s, while Thorvaldson and the phsyics building were built in the 1920’s. He adds they hope to be able to get another 40 years of some of USask’s iconic buildings.