JDUC Revitalization Project gets green light from Board of Trustees

JDUC Revitalization Project gets green light from Board of Trustees

Construction is planned to begin in May 2022 with expected completion in summer 2024.

June 1, 2021

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New design for the John Deutsch University Centre (JDUC)
The proposed project would modernize the John Deutsch University Centre (JDUC), with revitalized spaces for undergraduate and graduate students. The project is targeting a LEED Gold (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.

The planned revitalization of the John Deutsch University Centre (JDUC) at Queen鈥檚 University has received approval by the university鈥檚 Board of Trustees to move forward.  

Further to the conditional approval in March 2019, the board approved the project at its May 8 meeting, having addressed all the conditions.

鈥淭his is a very exciting step forward, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate our students who partnered with us on this fantastic JDUC Revitalization Project, which has already won design awards,鈥 says Donna Janiec, Vice-Principal (Finance and Administration). 鈥淭hrough the hard work of Alma Mater Society (AMS) and Society of Graduate and Professional Students (SGPS) executives over the past few years this project is now a reality, and we are thrilled to continue to work together through the construction phase of this exciting project.鈥

The project is targeting a LEED Gold (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.

Students will contribute the majority of the funding for the renovation project, through student levies over 25 years, which the students agreed to through graduate and undergraduate referendums held in February 2018 and January 2019, respectively. The university is supporting the project with a contribution from a combination of capital reserves and donor funds. Queen鈥檚 is also providing the project financing.

鈥淎fter a year of such uncertainty it is great news to see the award-winning JDUC revitalization plan move one step closer to reality,鈥 says Justine Aman, SGPS President. 鈥淎 huge thank you goes to the Board of Trustees and the university for their support as well as to all students, past and present, who are an integral part of this process.鈥

鈥淭his is an incredible win for the students, community, and Queen鈥檚 University as a whole, opening a new chapter in Queen鈥檚 commitment to enhanced student life and infrastructure,鈥 says AMS President Zaid Kasim. 鈥淭he AMS has long advocated for this project, and it鈥檚 humbling to see the initiatives and work of our predecessors finally come to fruition. It鈥檚 a privilege for us, as an organization, to continue this work with the university and SGPS, and to have a seat on the consulting team. When it鈥檚 complete, the new JDUC will provide a modern attractive and accessible space that will serve as a new hub for student life, allowing future generations to thrive in their experiences at Queen鈥檚.鈥

With design plans complete, the project will be ready for tender by the end of the year,