January 31, 2006

The University of Northern British Columbia and the NorthernUndergraduate Student Society (NUGSS) have unveiled plans to establisha student centre on campus. It’s proposed that the Northern UniversityStudent Centre (NUSC) will occupy the current UNBC Fitness Centre andpart of the Conference Centre after completion of the Northern SportCentre.

Originally, the NUSC was to have been a free-standing building locatedon campus, behind the Canfor Winter Garden. After initial constructionestimates of nearly $12 million, the proposal was rejected in a studentreferendum in April, 2005.  

“We continue to believe that NUSC – in whatever form it takes – will beof huge benefit to current and future students,” says NUGSS PresidentColin Phillips. “UNBC Administration has been of great help to us inour search for alternatives to our initial vision of NUSC. This newplan to occupy an existing space on campus will allow us to realizesignificant cost-savings while still providing various services,including office and storage space for clubs, social areas, space forstudent-run organizations, a multi-purpose room for events, and a pub.This location is also close to the bus stop and the student residences.”

An estimate for renovation costs will be determined over the next fewmonths, following the completion of architectural designs. Currently, undergraduate students studying at the Prince George campuspay a $15 NUGSS building fee each semester and a fee increase torenovate and operate NUSC is likely.  If any additional fee isrequired, the request will go to a student referendum in the Fall of2006. The UNBC Board of Governors approved the general terms andconditions of a management and lease agreement at its meeting this pastweekend. The plans are subject to the completion of negotiations tobuild the Northern Sport Centre.

The western part of the Conference and Fitness Centre provides morethan 17,000 square feet of space for the NUSC. Currently, meetingrooms, offices, squash courts, an aerobics room, weight room, andcardio equipment are in the space but many of these services will berelocated to the future Northern Sport Centre.

The University of Northern British Columbia and the NorthernUndergraduate Student Society (NUGSS) have unveiled plans to establisha student centre on campus. It’s proposed that the Northern UniversityStudent Centre (NUSC) will occupy the current UNBC Fitness Centre andpart of the Conference Centre after completion of the Northern SportCentre.

Originally, the NUSC was to have been a free-standing building locatedon campus, behind the Canfor Winter Garden. After initial constructionestimates of nearly $12 million, the proposal was rejected in a studentreferendum in April, 2005.  

“We continue to believe that NUSC – in whatever form it takes – will beof huge benefit to current and future students,” says NUGSS PresidentColin Phillips. “UNBC Administration has been of great help to us inour search for alternatives to our initial vision of NUSC. This newplan to occupy an existing space on campus will allow us to realizesignificant cost-savings while still providing various services,including office and storage space for clubs, social areas, space forstudent-run organizations, a multi-purpose room for events, and a pub.This location is also close to the bus stop and the student residences.”

An estimate for renovation costs will be determined over the next fewmonths, following the completion of architectural designs. Currently, undergraduate students studying at the Prince George campuspay a $15 NUGSS building fee each semester and a fee increase torenovate and operate NUSC is likely.  If any additional fee isrequired, the request will go to a student referendum in the Fall of2006. The UNBC Board of Governors approved the general terms andconditions of a management and lease agreement at its meeting this pastweekend. The plans are subject to the completion of negotiations tobuild the Northern Sport Centre.

The western part of the Conference and Fitness Centre provides morethan 17,000 square feet of space for the NUSC. Currently, meetingrooms, offices, squash courts, an aerobics room, weight room, andcardio equipment are in the space but many of these services will berelocated to the future Northern Sport Centre.

Contact:
Aidan Kelly, External Affairs, NUGSS - 250.960.6427
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC - 250.960.5622