1.1 Introduction
Request For Proposals
The University of Lethbridge, hereafter referred to as the Owner or the University, invites short-listed planning, urban design and architectural firms and their proposed sub-consultant teams to submit proposals to provide conceptual planning services that enhance the existing Core Campus Expansion Plan prepared by Brook McIlroy Planning + Urban Design in November of 2001. Download CEP_Final Report_Nov2001.pdf. The continued development of this plan is to also align with the goals of the University’s current 2011-2015 Capital Plan as well as key directives of the 2009-2013 Strategic Plan in force which aim to:
- Confirm our Place as a Comprehensive University
- Enhance the Student Experience
- Build Internal Community and Enhance Relationships with External Communities
- Promote Access to Quality Post-Secondary Education
- Enhance the Environmental Sustainability of the University
Campus Site
The University of Lethbridge campus is located on the west bank of the Oldman River across from the city’s centre in Lethbridge, Alberta. The campus site occupies a distinctive coulee landscape rising from the river below to an extensive plateau area approaching University Drive, the primary transportation corridor to the west of the city centre. The existing expansion plan of the academic and research precincts occur on this plateau to the north, west and south of the current core campus facilities.
Anticipated Growth
The University of Lethbridge continues to expand with significant increases in student enrolment, coupled with major construction. For the last six years the student population at the main campus has been increasing at an average annual growth rate of nearly 2% and future growth is expected to continue at a similar rate. The university’s mandate is to accommodate growth at our core campus from the current 7,300 student population to a total population of 11,000 students, not including potential development capacity at our south campus.
Conceptual Designs
Continuation planning for the conceptual design of our four precincts which comprise academic, research, residential and athletic areas is required to successfully guide the expansion of our physical facilities to meet the requirements of a student population of 11,000 and to facilitate a plan to accommodate reserve space for possible future expansion beyond this student population. The new plan will also formally examine potential uses of our south campus where our new stadium facilities currently are located for the first time.
The campus master plan is also integral to providing a quality educational experience for our students which further enhances opportunities for the University to integrate with the broader community and facilitate a unique sense of place that makes the institution a destination University.