Residence problem solved: build!
Katherine Harding

Laurier's campus is set to look a lot different.

On Tuesday, the University's Board of Governors (BOG) passed a motion to proceed with the planning and construction of a 72 single room addition to the east wing of Willison Hall. The west wing will be renovated to create seven dormitory style rooms.

The new residence concept replaces the University's original plan to adjoin a new residence building with Boukaert Hall and Bricker Residence.

"It is a less grandiose concept," said University President Dr. Bob Rosehart. He explained the original concept was running into too many logistical problems and would not be ready until the year 2000 at the earliest.

BOG also passed a motion to investigate the concept of building a four hundred space parking garage in parking lot 20 behind the John Aird Centre.

Residence addition

The University is confident the Willison addition can be accomplished with $2.3 million (approximately $26,000 per bed), which will be self-funded from residence revenue.

"This project responds to the need we have now," said Vice-President: Student Services David McMurray. "It allows us to avoid the Richmond Square option we were forced to go to this summer."

"Aesthetically the back of Willison Hall is an ugly eyesore right now. This development would beautify it," he added. McMurray points out that the residence addition is not a "knee-jerk reaction" to the residence space shortage, "this is a long-term solution to house our students and meet our obligations."

Student Governor Jeff Burrow was concerned with the noise construction is going to cause residents in Willison and surrounding buildings when the ground is broken in the early spring.

"We will have to take every measure to reduce that," said McMurray. "I'll watch to see the project lives up to its expectations. The disruptive factor is something we are going to have to keep on the top of our list of concerns."

Parking Garage?

Parking space at Laurier is at a premium and BOG has accepted the concept to build a parking garage to alleviate the shortage.

Rosehart calls the parking problem a "pressure point" citing the fact the University only has 1,300 parking spaces for its 6,000 students and 800 staff and faculty.

"I've had some parents take the stance with me that if you (WLU) can't supply them with a parking spot than why are they admitting them to the University," said Rosehart.

"I want students to make the decision to go to Laurier for academic reasons not for parking reasons."

"There are no mystical solutions to our parking problems that involve horizontal solutions. We are going to have to go up," Rosehart told BOG. After investigating several site locations for a possible parking garage, the University chose to opt building on parking lot 20 mainly because of its central location. Rosehart estimates the 400 spot parking garage will be built at $12,000-15,000 per spot.

"There are two drivers behind building a parking garage: need and the zoning requirements. The city (Waterloo) won't approve our residence zoning unless parking is part of the scheme," said Board of Governor Chair Jerry Young.

Some BOG members voiced their concern about how the structure would negatively affect campus aesthetics.

BOG member Terry Copp, who proposed the motion to accept the concept called the idea "brilliant." "It will solve our zoning problems and our problems with the external community. The idea is important to the future of Laurier," Copp said.