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Take it from here

Building Sites at Last

At a recent meeting of the Executive the report of the architects was discussed at considerable length. The outcome of this discussion, together with any other decisions which may be taken by this Association, will serve as the basis upon which the two Executive nominees on the Student Union Building Planning Committee will take their stand. It is for the purpose of keeping students fully informed of recent developments, and of Executive opinion on this matter that your Executive has instructed me to submit this report.

In the first place, I should like to make two introductory remarks. We are at the moment concerned only with the question of deciding upon the most suitable site. It has become apparent in recent months that the funds at our disposal will fall considerably short of what would now be required to proceed with the original plans. This means that we will probably soon be faced with the prospect of accepting a building on a reduced scale as the only alternative to raising a great deal of money. As this question would not appear to affect a decision on the site, however, discussion on this matter has been postponed.

Secondly, the executive has deemed it unwise at the moment to make a fast decision upon the site most favoured. The main reason for this is that we have insufficient technical knowledge of the difficulties and cost involved in the preparation of any particular site. It has therefore been thought advisable to do no more at the present time than to agree upon certain propositions which are considered important and which should serve as a guiding principle in the final determination of the most suitable site.

The propositions agreed upon are three in number. First, it is very important that the minimum amount of money be spent on excavation, foundation work and other matters incidental to preparing the site, in order that the maximum amount may be spent upon the construction of the building itself. When it is realised that the expense incurred under this item alone could easily run into many thousands of pounds, the importance of this point will be readily appreciated.

In the second place, we feel that it is important that the tennis courts should not be sacrificed unless absolutely necessary, in making a final decision on the site, therefore, the present tennis courts should not be sacrificed unless absolutely necessary, in making a final decision on the site, therefore, the present tennis courts should be interfered with as little as possible, or, alternatively, provision should be made to reconstruct these elsewhere.

A final matter of somewhat lesser Important, but one which should be borne in mind is that the present gymnasium should be preserved If at all possible Some students may consider that this is merely a transitory consideration, and that the temporary difficulty created by being without the present student facilities should play no part in decisions regarding the new building. It must be remembered, however, that the Student Union Building may well be in the process of construction for two or three years, in other words, the time spent at the University by the average student. To be almost completely devoid of student facilities for so long a period is therefore most undesirable. It is difficult to see how possible alternative arrangements in other buildings, such as the Little Theatre, would be particularly satisfactory. The gymnasium would also be of considerable value to students even after the creation of the new building, and could well serve many incidental needs such as storage space, and the construction of Procesh and Extrav. equipment.

Bearing these considerations in mind, the Executive has come to the conclusion that the most desirable site is to be found in a position approximating site "C" or "D" on the chart (seen front page). Site "B" has not been viewed with favour because of the necessity for considerable excavation in order to bring it down to tennis court level, and the necessity of demolishing the gymnasium, in addition, it would not make the best use of the view and the southern side would be almost entirely shut off from the light.

Site "E" has been favoured in previous years when a realignment of Salamanca Road had been envisaged. The re-alignment project has now been abandoned, however, and the large amount of excavation and foundation work required makes the site at present unfavourable.

Site "D." it should be noted, lies substantially on Crown Land, and the adoption of this site depends upon approval being obtained from the requisite authorities. Great difficulty in this direction is not, however, anticipated at the present time. This site has the advantages of commanding an excellent view, of preserving the present gymnasium, and of leaving room for two tennis courts. In addition, the excavation problem would appear to be relatively small. This site is the one recommended by the architects.

Site "C" has the important advantages of requiring little expense in excavation, of preserving the present gym., and of commanding an excellent view. It would, however, completely ruin the tennis courts, and its desirability depends largely upon the possibility of another site for the tennis courts being found. Perhaps the best site of all can be found by moving "C" right into the south-east corner of the tennis courts, providing an even better foundation and possibly preserving one tennis court. As in "D." however, permission from the Crown would have to be obtained.

In conclusion, perhaps it should be mentioned that two other sites were also investigated. "Silo "A," located on the slope about 50-100 yards south of the present Little Theatre block, overlooking Mount Victoria, appeared unfavourable because of the amont of excavation required, and because it is not conveniently situated. The suggested site "F." located on the lawn to the north of the main block (alongside the cafeteria) has many technical advantages. Its proximity to main, roads carrying a great deal of traffic, together with the aesthetic difficulty of finding a suitable design to fit in with the background, yet one which is desirable for the purpose of a Student Union Building are the main reasons for not viewing it favourably. As the construction of now college buildings takes place, its situation will become less and less suited to the convenience of the students.

The most suitable site, both from a long and a short term viewpoint, would appear to be in the vicinity of the present tennis court area.

—P. M. McCaw. President, V.U.C.S.A.