Geoff Lister/The Ubyssey

After building 30 new buildings from 2000–2009 at a capital cost of $775 million, it’s not surprising that temporary structures on campus are getting the boot to make way for new development.

“During the same period [2000-2009], we demolished 85 old buildings and huts,” said John Metras, UBC’s managing director of Infrastructure and Development. “Despite the fact that the number of demolished buildings was almost triple the new buildings, our overall building space inventory increased.”

Huts are structures used by the army that were brought to UBC post-World War II, and were intended to be temporary. In UBC’s rapid expansion period after World War II, 15 abandoned army and air force camps were dismantled and shipped to Point Grey. According to Metras, they were used as classrooms, laboratories and residences for the rapidly expanding student and faculty population.

But the dwindling upkeep of the buildings has left those who use them with much to be desired.

“In some of them, they want out,” said university architect Gerry McGeough of the Campus and Community Planning office.

A number of temporary structures are being demolished as well. The offices formerly located outside Brock Hall, used by the Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies (CWAGS), were designed to be a temporary solution and were demolished this summer.

“[The] building is in much better condition. There is no vermin, insects, leaks and no freezing. The offices and the renovated lounge and kitchen are bright and appealing,” said the director of CWAGS, Gillian Creese, about the move to the Jack Bell Building from the temporary offices. “We have more office space than before.”

Catherine Alkenbrack, associate director of Facilities and Planning, said that new temporary modulars are not approved very often.

“On the very rare occasions that modulars are approved, there is a ‘sunset clause’ giving a time by which they must be demolished and the stipulation of funding required to cover demo and land restoration costs,” she said.

The CWAGS is not an isolated case, as demonstrated by the gradual removal of huts around campus in favour of permanent buildings.

“We effectively replaced smaller, end-of-life buildings and huts with larger facilities to address increasing enrolment, increasing research activity and increasing demand for student housing,” said Metras. “Some have been rehabilitated like [the Campus and Community Planning Office], or very well rehabilitated like [Hut M-17 and Hut M-18].”

Although many have already disappeared, McGeough commented on the long term plans. “The story is important to preserve, and so we should keep some examples to preserve where practical. And where not practical, demolish or remove them,” he said.

—With files from Micki Cowan

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