Carleton’s Board of Governors (BoG) approved a motion during its Oct. 10 meeting that will see the expansion of dining and kitchen facilities within Teraanga Commons beginning in November.
The expansion, proposed by the building program committee, is driven by the new campus residence building opening September 2025 and will increase dining capacity and food selection to accommodate an additional 450 meal-plan holders.
“More students means more people requiring quick, high-quality food,” Christina Tessier, vice-chair of the committee, said at the meeting.
Lorraine Dyke, Carleton’s vice-president of finance and administration, said the proposal was fast-tracked to begin construction upon approval for opening prior to the new residence building.
“When [BoG] fast-tracks, we’re looking at the full range of information in one package and board approval provides authorization to proceed with construction,” Dyke said.
The expansion program is strategically and financially prepared for completion by August 2024, according to Suzanne Blanchard, vice-president of students and enrolment.
“We’ve ensured that we are well-prepared with effective communication,” Blanchard said. “In terms of the volatile market, [the building program committee] has built a contingency plan into its budget.”
The committee will also pre-order waitlist items to meet the completion date.
Blanchard said Watson MacEwen Teramura Architects prepared 95 per cent of construction planning in August.
“These will be concepts that will take into consideration students’ needs and [requirement] of diverse selections of food,” Blanchard said. “I haven’t tried bubble tea smoothies but students like them, so we’d like to accommodate that.”
Blanchard confirmed the project’s multi-phased construction plan will keep the dining hall operational while opening the expansion dining concepts.
“We’re starting in November, but we will be feeding all the students in residence until the end of April,” she said.
The committee proposed an overall budget of $8.5 million, with estimated construction and furnishing costs at $7.8 million. The BoG also approved a contingency plan of $1.2 million.
“The revenues from the additional meal plan and [dining services] will absolutely cover finances,” Dyke said. “We are confident that we will stay within the budget.”
The board is set to meet again on Dec. 5.
Featured graphic by Sara Mizannojehdehi.
