Plans for starting construction of a new building for the UCFV Chilliwack campus have been postponed for at least 18 months. News of the delay came from the Ministry of Advanced Education on August 28. The decision to delay construction is part of a province-wide review of all capital construction projects by the provincial government.

The UCFV Chilliwack project was awaiting approval from the Ministry before proceeding to tender. Construction was scheduled to begin later this fall.

This is the second time the Phase III project has been put on hold by the provincial government. Planning started for this building, a replacement for the "old motel" building in 1992. It was originally slated for construction in 1995.

The cost of repairs and maintenance of the "old motel" building have been ongoing and steadily increasing.

The new Phase III project would have seen a replacement for the library, science laboratories, classrooms, and administrative space.

Plans for a new facility were put on hold in a provincial government freeze in 1994. Planning was revived in 2000 for construction of a $10.3 million facility. After extensive redesign work required to meet new floodproofing regulations and modifications required to meet a new, reduced budget, new working drawings were submitted to the Ministry earlier this summer.

"We are very disappointed by this development," says UCFV President Skip Bassford. "We can understand the government's need to review all of its expenditures, but this project is one which is badly needed and is long overdue. It means that we will find it even more challenging to meet the needs of the people of Chilliwack."

"Our local MLAs in Chilliwack really supported this project and we appreciate their effort to present the best case possible for it to proceed on schedule. I am certain they will continue to work to try to ensure that the construction delay is as brief as possible."

In light of the construction delay, UCFV will need to review the maintenance requirements for the "old motel" to keep it safe and functional for at least several more years. As well, any additional or expanded programming or services will have to be accommodated within existing facilities or at an alternative location.

The news about the postponement to the construction of a new facility comes at a time when UCFV is facing a space shortage on all its campuses.

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