The project has hired a manager, reopened the Think Tank, and is focusing on finding an architect
By Alison Roach
Photo by Mark Burnham
Last Friday, the Build SFU Think Tank space on the MBC 2000 level was reopened in an event attended by approximately 75 people, including students, SFSS staff, administrators, and president Petter. The reopening marks the project looking forward into the new year, focusing mainly around student consultations and the hiring of an architect firm for the planned SUB building.
The reopening was celebrated with cake and faux-champagne, and featured short speeches from SFSS president Lorenz Yeung and president Andrew Petter. The growing need for studentspace was acknowledged, and the opportunities the Think Tank space will provide for students. “Over the last 20 years, SFU has grown dramatically,” said Yeung, “And as the student population increases so does the value of student space.” Yeung continued, “Students will have the opportunity to share their opinions from colour scheme, to the furniture, however many stools you want . . . and thus, students can take ownership of the building.” Marc Fontaine, who has been hired by Build SFU as the manager of the project, echoed the same sentiment. In an interview with The Peak, Fontaine said, “If the student society didn’t have this department created — this Build SFU project department — then it could easily turn out to be a building that isn’t right for students.” He cited the MBC building, which was originally meant to act as a SUB, as a warning of how the project could be handled poorly. Fontaine has been heavily involved in student government in the past as SFSS University Relations Officer, as well as holding positions on both the Senate and the SFU Board of Governors.
In his new role, Fontaine will be focused on organizing and facilitating student consultations through the Think Tank space, social media, 1presentations and events on all three campuses. Said Fontaine, “That’s the most important part of my role: to have the Think Tank, to have a space where students can participate in the project, so they can stay informed about the project and knowledgeable about it.” Fontaine also assured that no expense will be spared in the consultation process, there not even being a set budget in place.
The next step in the project is hiring an architecture firm to create the design for the building. Fontaine explained that Build SFU received 16 proposals from architecture firms around the world, and those choices have now been narrowed down to three bids. These three firms will be presented in an open forum to students in the MBC atrium on Jan. 30 at 4:30pm. Fontaine emphasized the importance of whichever architecture firm is selected being involved in the student consultation process. Said Fontaine, “I have been looking for firms that seem to understand the purpose of the student building . . . and whether they’ll be able to engage with students to understand the issues facing students and the desires of students for this building.” In his address at the Think Tank reopening, president Petter linked the project back to engagement, saying, “During all phases of the project’s development, this Think Tank will be a hub for participation and dialogue, and is going to provide another opportunity for engagement.”
Looking forward, Fontaine and to-be-hired full time staff will be managing the Think Tank space, encouraging students to come in, talk about the building, and write their ideas on a wall-spanning whiteboard. Emphasized Fontaine, “We need to make it convenient for students to talk to us about their building.”
