While most students are away from campus for the summer, Physical Plant Services (PPS) takes the opportunity of clear weather and reduced foot traffic to tackle renovations, deferred maintenance, and revitalization projects. 

The teams at PPS have over 50 projects to finish before the start of classes. The work completed this summer contributes to the overall Queen’s infrastructure strategy, aiming to address $300 million worth of deferred maintenance in the next 10 to 12 years. These projects help modernize the campus with more sustainable and accessible infrastructure.

Projects can include classroom renovations, office renovations, kitchen upgrades, washroom upgrades, safety additions, roof maintenance, sprinkler replacements, masonry improvements, heating and cooling upgrades, fire alarm system upgrades, and elevator maintenance/upgrades. Some of the larger recent projects across campus include:

• ARC: Administrative office renovations (second floor) and coach’s office renovations
• Ban Righ Centre: Kitchen upgrade and elevator modernization
• Chown Hall: Elevator modernization
• Bio Sciences Complex: Minor laboratory renovations
• Duncan McArthur Hall: Gender neutral single user washrooms and classroom renovations (second and third floors)
• Goodes Hall: Renovations to the Career Advancement Centre
• Harkness Hall: Supply and exhaust fan and heating system refurbishment
• Jackson Hall: Main entrance stair refurbishment
• John Watson Hall: Roof repairs
• MacDonald Hall: Office and study area renovations and air conditioning system installation
• McLaughlin Hall: New windows, improved entrances and ventilation, and renovated washrooms
• Nicol Hall: Stone restoration
• Stuart Street garage: Sprinkle system replacement
• Robert Sutherland Hall: Room renovations (541, 542, 543, and 548)

PPS works with groups across campus to minimize the interruptions felt during renovation projects.

"Although many of the deferred maintenance projects do not result in visible changes to the campus, they are fundamental to ensure that the campus remains safe and able to accommodate the needs of occupants, buildings are operating as efficiently as possible, and we continue to improve accessibility throughout the campus,” says Carola Bloedorn, Director of Design and Construction with PPS. “For those inconvenienced as a result of these projects, we thank you for your understanding that sometimes there needs to be short term pain for long term gain.”

To find out more about these projects and learn which projects are ongoing in August, visit the PPS interactive map.