Welcome back. We hope that everyone had an enjoyable summer and is looking forward to what promises to be an exciting 2016-2017 academic year.

When classes ended in June, multiple North Campus Backfill projects were underway. Now, as we begin September, we’re pleased to report that 42 out of 47 projects have been, or will be, completed later this month.

The remaining projects are on schedule and are expected to open in January 2017, as we begin the winter semester.

When we’re done, we’ll have completed 146,000 square feet of renovations that will meet the growing needs of the North Campus, providing new labs, classrooms and office space for Humber’s students, staff and faculty. This is the equivalent of building 60 new homes (in nine months).

While we’ve worked diligently over the summer to complete the newly renovated spaces, there’s still some work to be done. As with any construction or renovation project, as we move in and begin to use these new spaces deficiencies may become apparent in the first few weeks. This includes any audio-visual or information technology that was undertaken as part of the renovation projects. At that level, we could use your help to make sure we get to it all. As you’ll see there are deficiency lists posted in the new areas, especially in classrooms. As you work and learn in the new spaces, please use those lists to write down any work that needs to be done or issues that need to be addressed. We will check the lists regularly and work to finish construction in a timely manner. We also recommend that those who are using newly renovated spaces to have an alternate plan should any audio-visual or IT issues occur in the first week of usage.

The Backfill Steering Committee would like to thank students and employees for their ongoing support and patience during this construction period. We are confident that the new spaces will be worthy of the work required to create them.

We would also like to recognize and thank all of the employees and our partners involved in the planning and construction of the new spaces. We appreciate all of the hard work that has gone into the project so far.

For more information or if you have any questions about the project, please contact Scott Valens, Director of Capital Development, at scott.valens@humber.ca.

We hope everyone has a great start to the school year.

Laurie Rancourt
Senior Vice-President, Academic and Co-Chair, Backfill Steering Committee

Angelo Presta
Senior Director, Capital Development and Facilities Management, and Co-Chair, Backfill Steering Committee