This fall, students are once again being met with the all-too-familiar sight of ongoing construction, a scene likely to continue in the future.
A range of construction projects are underway as the University “continues to invest in the maintenance and upgrading of existing infrastructure and the development of new spaces to ensure the university provides the best possible teaching, working and research spaces for students, faculty and staff,” Queen’s said in a statement to The Journal.
JDUC Revitalization
The project, originally estimated at $62.3 million, is now projected to exceed its budget by $23 million, bringing the total cost to $85.6 million. Its opening has been postponed from Aug. 1 to Nov. 29.
READ MORE: JDUC $23 million over budget, students pay
Originally launched in early 2015-16, the project has encountered numerous delays and obstacles. The costs have been passed on to students, with undergraduate students charged a $40 JDUC fee for two years starting in the Fall 2019 semester. This fee increased to $73.92 in the Fall of 2021.
In 2024, AMS Executive KMV announced plans to propose a $5 increase to the Student Life Centre (SLC) fee during the winter referendum. This fee helps cover the AMS’s share of operating costs for SLC spaces, which includes office space for commissions, AMS services, and common areas.
READ MORE: What’s the deal with the JDUC?
During AMS Assembly on Sept. 24, Team OAR stated the JDUC would be opening soon but didn’t have further details regarding its construction.
Joseph S. Stauffer Library
If you’re a student who’s used to crashing on the couches on the main floor of Stauffer Library, you won’t see them again until January 2025.
According to the Gazette, this project—the first major renovation of Stauffer Library since its opening in 1994—aims to enhance accessibility and create a more welcoming, modern space for students. To minimize impact during the academic year, the library underwent an eight to 10-week closure during the summer.
The renovations are set to bring significant improvements, including an expanded Adaptive Technology Centre (ATC), a new 50-seat classroom, and gender-neutral bathrooms. The design will also create better-zoned spaces for quiet study and collaboration, alongside a new service desk and enhanced printing and scanning service.
The former ATC has been temporarily moved to the ground floor of Douglas Library for the summer before returning to its revitalized space. Due to the construction, Student Academic Success Services (SASS) moved to the third floor of Gordon Hall from May 1 to Aug. 31.
Agnes Etherington Art Centre
If you’ve walked down University Ave. towards Watson Hall and are looking for a detour due to construction, it’s because of the transformation of the Agnes Etherington Art Centre into a dream art house.
With a $75 million donation from Bader Philanthropy Inc., the redevelopment of the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, which closed on March 29, is set to begin renovations over the next two years, aiming for completion by 2026. The expansion will increase the museum’s size by 200 per cent, making it the largest university museum in Canada.
The Reimagining of Agnes will focus on hospitality and inclusivity, aiming to evoke the atmosphere of a home, reminiscent of the time when Kingston philanthropist Agnes Etherington resided in the building.
READ MORE: Agnes Etherington Art Centre to undergo $100M transformation into dream art house
Queen’s lost its “Transformations” wall as part of the revitalization efforts on Aug. 17.
Duncan McArthur Hall
Duncan McArthur Hall, situated on West Campus, houses the Faculty of Education. Redevelopment of the building commenced in May 2024 and involves expanding the first floor into the area of the east wing.
“The first floor of the building will shift to a welcoming, student-centered space. First-floor administrative offices will be relocated to the second floor, and modern teaching and student spaces will be created, including three active-learning classrooms with capacity for 2,550 and 100 students,” the University said in a press release.
Existing spaces for the Indigenous Teacher Education Program (ITEP) will be renovated to include a new Indigenous student lounge with direct outdoor access. A new pedestrian walkway will also be constructed in the east of the building, replacing the current walkway located under the east canopy.
Tags
Agnes Etherington, Campus, Construction, JDUC revitalization, Stauffer Library
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