Thirty years in the making, e UPEI student centre faced a few ore obstacles this summer.

In early July, after several >eks delay due to contractor tender- p, Meridian Construction and its rious subcontractors began the pcess of incorporating the frame- rk of the Alumni Gym into the erall design of the new UPEI stu- t centre. With the construction der way, things finally seemed to going smoothly for the new dent Centre, which will serve in t as a replacement for the Barn - a ilding that was intended to serve ly as a temporary student union Iding when it opened thirty years

According to a brochure eased by UPEI, the new student tre will become the focal point of mpus life. In addition to housing offices for the UPEI Student ion, The Cadre and The Nexus, the dent centre will include the anther Lounge, the UPEI ookstore, the student health centre, day lounge, some pool tables and a feteria. cae On August 1, however, a new

Burning Down the House

By Jeff COLL

setback in the construction of the stu- dent centre occurred. Hot slag found its way from the roof of the Alumni Gym - where Prebilt Steel workers were welding - to the floor, and set the building ablaze.

As the fire progressed, peo- ple on campus came out to watch. One of the witnesses was UPEI Student Union President Cynthia Dennis, who recalled her initial dis- belief, followed by relief: “We were just basically like, well, it could have been worse because if the wind had been blowing the other way, it would have set Main on fire, and the whole campus would have been on fire.” |

Despite the unfortunate nature of the fire, President MacLauchlan managed to be positive about the fire at an August 30 press conference located in front of the construction site. “It’s a day to be proud of and to celebrate some hero- ic efforts, said MacLauchlan, stand- ing before an audience that included Charlottetown Mayor George MacDonald, reporters and members of the university community. It is about the heroic efforts of our stu- dents who have worked for years to achieve a new Student Centre, of fire fighters and UPEI staff who ensured that the August 1 blaze did not do more damage, and of a whole com- munity that wants to see _ its University improve.”

In addition to President MacLauchlan’s tales of heroism, three volunteer firefighters - Angus Orford, Mike Ready and Robert Flanagan - were presented with small fire extinguishers as a gesture of appreciation for their efforts to extin- guish the fire. The firefighters were all UPEI alumni.

Because of forensic investi- gations surrounding the fire, con- struction was set back roughly three weeks. With the investigations and the fact that the Gym’s original framework needs to be reconstructed, there had been some concern that the

Don t stand too close, Bill. You ll get a wicked case of hot ass.

opening date for the student centre would be pushed back. “The good news,” said MacLauchlan, “is that even though there has been a setback of a number of weeks because of the fire, we’re still looking for comple- tion and occupancy for the beginning of the academic term in the fall of 2002, which indeed was the date that we had been really shooting for all along. So in many respects we’re on schedge.”

“They’re going to go light- ning speed to get it done,’ said Dennis in an interview previous to the press conference. It’s not in Meridian’s interest to be any longer, and they have to get as much done as possible before winter sets in because [the building] has to be closed in so they can build.”

According to Dennis, the additional costs that will be needed to reconstruct the framework of the Alumni Gym will be incurred by UPEI’s insurance during the process of negotiation with the contractors’ insurance companies. Such negotia- tions are typically lengthy, observed Dennis, and it is best if UPEI pays for the costs in order to prevent any

a a a a ne a ee es te

delays.

The August 30 press confer- ence also served as a call for fundraising on the part of UPEI, which must raise the final $1.7 mil- lion to complete the building. The PEI government has contributed $1 million to the project and the UPEI Student Union - through student fee charges and a mortgage - has raised $2 million. “The bottom line is the students are leading the way no mat- ter how you count the thing,” stated MacLauchlan. “I’ve been using that and continue to use that as a chal- lenge to others to do their part.”

One of UPEI’s incentives for donors includes naming gifts. Donors can sponsor and name certain areas of the student centre, including the cafeteria and the day lounge. For $1 million, a donor can even select the overall name of the student centre.

Concluding the press confer- ence MacLauchlan made it clear that raising the final funds necessary is a priority: “Anyone who has got any brainwaves or bursts of generosity on that front, we'd be glad to hear from

the cadre.’ 3