Chan Shun Science Centre will Fully Reopen April 15

Restoration work has begun in the Chan Shun Science Centre, which sustained significant water damage as the result of a small explosion and fire in October.  Claims Adjuster Neil Hagerty estimates that two labs will be available for use by January 21 and restoration of the rest of the building completed by April 15.

"We will be back in our physics, biology and chemistry labs on January 21," said Dr. Bruce Buttler, dean of the division of science.  "In addition to those two labs, classrooms 115 and 215 in the east-west wing will reopen January 17, at specified times, for use for student labs and projects."  Although some portions of the east-west wing will be opening soon, the entire north-south wing, atrium, computer lab, and other popular study areas of the building will not reopen until April 15.

"We plan to have reopening party when the work is fully completed," said Bonita Campbell, administrative assistant for the Chan Shun Science Centre.  "Everyone on campus has been affected in some way by the temporary loss of this building, so the celebration will include the entire campus!"

"Bonita Campbell, who spent a great deal of extra time re-scheduling all classes that were using the science centre, is just one of many individuals we want to thank for helping us get through this crisis," said Dr. Buttler.  "We are also very grateful for the help we received from James Ng, Tammy Clarke, Ron Schafer, Julie Grovet, Darrell Huether, Reo Ganson, Joy Fehr and Larry Murrin."

While emergency salvage and clean-up work was done in the Chan Shun Science Centre immediately after the fire, because chemicals were involved in the fire, inspectors did not allow adjusters and contractors to enter the building to fully assess the damage and bid on repairing it until November.  Commencement of repair work was again delayed when extra time was needed to carefully review the bids due to significant differences in the proposed costs.  The cost to repair the damaged portions of the Chan Shun Science Centre is projected to be just over $523,000.  

"Although it will take longer than first expected to fully restore the Chan Shun Science Centre, we are very thankful for the service provided by our insurance company, Travelers Insurance, and their agent Neil Hagerty, of Crawford & Company who is the adjuster on this claim," said Darrell Huether, vice president for financial administration. "From the initial response on October 10 to when the restoration will be fully completed, Darren Bishop, director of plant services, and his staff have taken on the extra work and coordination required to oversee the project and liaison with Ryan Bedford of Belfor Property Restoration who is caring for the clean up and restoration."