view . fall 2014
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TheUniversityof Windsor has purchased the
Tunnel Bar-B-Q (TBQ) site as analternative location
for the arts programs
originallyplanned for theBus
Depot property.
TheTunnel Bar-B-Q site is locateddirectly to the east
of theArmouries building, andbothpropertieswill become
the newhome for theUniversity’s School of Creative
Arts. TheBusDepot sitewill be a part of theUniversity’s
downtown campus as originallyplanned, with the intent to
eventually repurpose the existingbuilding for other support
programming.
Dr. AlanWildeman, president and vice-chancellor, says,
“We are pleased to secure an ideal footprint inWindsor’s
downtown corewith the purchase of theTunnel Bar-B-Q
property. The newbuildingon this sitewill house studio
space to complement the programming in theArmouries
to thewest.Wewere unable topursue new constructionon
theBusDepot site considering various unique construction
challenges causedby its locationover theDetroit-Windsor
Tunnel. TheTBQpropertyhas enjoyed a veryhighprofile
in the region as the home of the landmark restaurant at the
entrypoint toCanada from theDetroit-Windsor Tunnel.
We see great benefit of this location for the profile of the
Universityof Windsor and for the excitingwork of our
creative artists.”
The generous dimensions of theTBQ sitewill
accommodate the twodiverse needs of the program, which
canbe categorized into clean and controlled space for the
Multi-Media andFilmProduction studios, versus rugged
and creative space for theMakingFabricationLabs for
metal work, printmaking and sculptural activities.
CraigGoodman, principal at CS&PArchitects Inc., says
that the sitewill be developed as twodistinct buildings,
eachharbouring the vital architectural components and
acoustic treatments specific to the program, and stitched
together by a third element as a shared and transparently
inviting student lounge space visually connected to
FreedomWay.
The threebuilding componentswill bearrangedaround
aworkingoutdoor arts courtyard thatwill allow student
activities toflow seamlesslybetween the insideandoutside.
“This is another exciting announcement by the
Universityof Windsor and again reinforces their
commitment to contribute to the vibrancyof downtown,”
saidMayor EddieFrancis LLB ’02. “I ampleased that the
Universitywill still find a use for the former bus depot and
is adding yet another dynamic to this creative corridor.
We look forward towelcoming students and faculty to their
newhome in the fall of 2016.”
TheUniversitypurchased theTBQproperty for
$4million and the newbuildingwill cost an estimated
$8.5million. Funding for this projectwill come from the
University’s existingbondproceeds and fundraising.
Constructionof both theArmouries and theTBQ site
will begin this year andbe built in tandem, with anopening
set for the fall of 2016.
DOWNTOWN CAMPUS:
UNIVERSITY PURCHASES DOWNTOWN TUNNEL BAR-B-Q SITE
In recognitionof thefinalizationof the estate of
MurrayO’Neil
, theUniversityof Windsor has announced
that itsmedical educationbuilding, home to theWindsor
Programof the SchulichSchool of Medicine&Dentistry,
will be named theDr.MurrayO’NeilMedical Education
Centre.
In addition, theDr.MurrayO’Neil Scholarshipwill
be created tobenefit students from theWindsor-Essex
community admitted to theWindsor Program.
“This is an exceptional gift to theUniversityof
Windsor,” saidpresident AlanWildeman. “Dr.Murray
O’Neil was a highly respectedphysician known across
the community. He understood the importance of having
medical education in this part of the province, and it is
truly anhonour tohave his name become a part of the
future of theUniversity andof medical education and care
inWindsor-Essex.”
MEDICAL EDUCATION CENTRE RECEIVES NEW NAME
