The new SUB, also known as the Nest, has now officially been open to students for three months.
“It’s been beautiful to see the transition from the space during the summer to the first week of school,” said Ava Nasiri, AMS VP Administration. “It’s almost like light has been breathed into the building.”
Construction for the new SUB began three years ago, in February of 2012. Prior to this, the AMS formed the SUB Renewal Committee in July of 2007 in order to look for a solution to the inefficiencies of the old SUB.
The AMS council unanimously approved construction of a new SUB, as opposed to other solutions such as renovating the old SUB.
“We started, actually, from a mission statement that captured the spirit of what we wanted to do with this project and it was to make it transparent, make it inviting, make the spaces interconnect, achieve a high sustainability,” said Michael Kingsmill, AMS designer and pioneer of the new SUB project.
The original budget for the project was $103 million, but this figure increased to $106.5 million after the new SUB committee discovered that they had additional $3.5 million at their disposal.
“Something like the Student Nest, they generally leave about a minimum of 10 per cent contingency,” said Nasiri. “From the perspective in our conversations with the project manager, UBC Properties Trust, we’re very healthy in terms of keeping within that range.”
After multiple delays due to construction issues, the building finally received occupancy in June of this year.
Right now, the new SUB is undergoing an air balancing process in preparation for the winter months as well as an ongoing evaluation for deficiencies. Two tenants in the building, Qoola and The Grocery Checkout, are tentatively scheduled to open later in the month.
According to Kingsmill, he is also currently examining the overall dynamics of student activity and interaction in the building.
“For me, it’s kind of looking around and observing how things work. Do people use these social spaces in a way that we suggested?” said Kingsmill. “The real excitement is seeing how something is used.”
The academic term ahead will also see the implementation of many new projects in the new SUB. The Clubs Resource and Sustainability Centre, scheduled to open in October, will provide resources to AMS clubs along with information on sustainable practices. Other projects that are underway include Nest Nights, as well as the installation of new animation pieces like foosball and air hockey tables.
“The projects coming up will really have a focus on engaging students and making sure that they know about the projects, and the history, and everything that the building has to offer,” said Nasiri.
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