$73M University of Windsor rec centre project resumes

One of two major construction projects at the University of Windsor has resumed after being interrupted by industry restrictions related COVID-19.

Work on the $73-million Lancer Sport and Recreation Centre and a multimillion-dollar renovation to the Ianni Law Building were upended April 3 when the provincial government ordered the closure of “non critical industrial construction sites.”

When the province released a new list of “essential construction projects” this month that included schools, workers headed back to the LSRC project.

“Following the Premier’s announcement on May 1, the LSRC construction site reopened on May 4,” said John Coleman, university director of public affairs and communications.

“Construction has resumed and all required safety protocols are being strictly adhered to by Ellisdon.fortis.”

The recreation centre — which features a triple gym, seating for 2,500 spectators, a new 25-metre pool and a 13,000 square foot fitness area — was scheduled for a 2021 completion date.

“The team continues to review all options to recover some of the lost days due to the closure,” Coleman said Tuesday.

The Ianni Building renovation project, known as Transforming Windsor Law (TWL), has been pushed back six months according to Chris Waters, dean of the faculty of law.

“The revised plan is to push back construction by roughly six months, with a planned start no later than January 2021,” Waters posted as part of an updated timeline on the university’s website.

The original plan called a late summer construction start.

“Unfortunately, we have been unable to do the work necessary to make the temporary quarters suitable for our needs due to the suspension of construction sites on campus,” Waters said.

He outlined a two-stage relocation “in an effort to minimize disruption and ensure service to students through the fall semester.”

The law library is to move this summer to the Leddy Library, while the rest of the faculty will move to temporary quarters at the end of the fall term.

An extensive two-year renovation of the 50-year-old Ianni building was originally slated for completion in summer 2022.