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Building World-Class Research Space and Infrastructure
VPRI portfolio lead
Trevor Davis
Executive Director, Research Operations
Faculty lead
Angela Brooks-Wilson
Dean, Faculty of Science
On this Page:
Challenge
World-class research facilities are key to the performance of world-class research. The availability of high-quality research space is currently an important limiting factor in our research growth. The availability of appropriate digital infrastructure is key to many research programs.
Action
Working with the provost, SFU Facilities Services and deans, we will prioritize existing research space for capital improvements. We will continue to work as part of the team advocating for additional buildings on our three campuses. Within a year, plans for research space upgrades will be created and some upgrade projects will be underway. The VPRI will work with the library, ITS and others to prioritize digital infrastructure needed to support researchers.
Project Goals
Each year the provincial government provides SFU with capital funding to maintain campus buildings. In recent years the amount from the province has been approximately $30M, and has required a match from SFU of approximately $10M to access. The resulting funds (roughly $40M per year in recent years) are prioritized and deployed to maintain our campuses. One of the roles of this project is to identify research spaces and buildings that need attention and to help the university create high-priority projects to address those issues within the annual capital budget.
Digital Infrastructure
1. Procurement to refresh Supercomputer Cedar resources
- November 2024
The refresh, now known as ‘Fir’, will be substantially completed by March 2025.
- June 2024
Cedar Upgrades: $80M in funding secured from federal, provincial and private sources. Request for proposal (RFP) for the equipment has been closed and vendors are being evaluated.
- December 2023
Work carried out throughout 2023 with federal and provincial funding partners. Significant progress but no formal funding announcement in 2023. Procurement has begun.
- August 2023
SFU is working closely with federal and provincial governments to secure funding to replace Supercomputer Cedar
2. Support ITS in upgrading wifi and cellular coverage across SFU campuses
- June 2024
Wi-Fi upgrades in the 5th and 6th floor of the library and the convocation mall are in progress.
- June 2024
Cellular upgrades: Agreement has been finalised with one provider to increase service primarily on the west side of campus. Upgrades will start soon and run through 2026. Work is in progress on agreements with other providers.
- March 2024
Planning for wifi and cellular upgrades continues in partnership with the service providers.
- December 2023
Procurement work has taken place to identify a new carrier. New cellular antennae locations are being considered. Planning has taken place to upgrade network cabling and to increase Wi-Fi coverage in poorly served areas. A funding request has been submitted.
Capital Infrastructure
1. Develop plans for upgrades to previously identified key infrastructure deficiencies with largest impact on faculty research programs
- March 2024
The implementation timeline for deficiency upgrades for the next 3 years has been developed.
- Fall 2023
South Science Building SSB upgrades were identified as highest priority due to issues with health and human safety, overheating and potential leaks. $4.8M was allocated to projects that include wall, roofing, HVAC and emergency power upgrades. Several of the building system projects are underway or close to completion.
- Summer 2023
Interior renewal plans for SSC are still in the design phase, with plans to implement in years 2 and 3.
2. Develop a process for identifying additional lab deficiencies across campus and a process to rank them
- April 2024
Associate Deans of Research for different faculties have been consulted to discuss the evaluation process to identify lab deficiencies.
Index data to assist with evaluation has been gathered, and index modifications are being considered. Choice of next targets will be heavily influenced by funding.
3. Implement upgrades for key infrastructure deficiencies
- Fall 2023
Construction of multiple projects is underway. Planning has commenced for interior work in Biological Sciences. The three-year plan commits $13.4 million to address concerns across the Shrum buildings.
- August 2023
Planning has commenced for interior work for Biological Sciences - CORY Labs and Hutter Labs.
- August 2023
Construction of multiple projects are setting up or scheduled for fall 2023.
- Summer 2023
SFU approved a capital plan including the Shrum Intervention Project. This 3-year project commits $13.4M to address concerns across Shrum Biology, Physics and BPK buildings. This is augmented by previously planned building envelope work, bringing the total investment over 3 years to $17.5M
4. Working with Facilities Services, advocate for new research spaces on our campuses, including the Life Sciences Building (Burnaby) and Medical School Building (Surrey)
- December 2023
Intensive LSB planning was undertaken and a detailed proposal submitted to government to align with the Medical School planning. Medical School Building planning continues.