New Resource Education Centre set to open: Complements existing DEC

New Resource Education Centre set to open

Complements existing DEC

By Melanie Franner

There’s a lot that can be said for consolidation. Just ask Surrey Schools. With 125 schools and approximately 300 administrative personnel, the school district is the fastest-growing in the province. It’s no wonder then that Surrey Schools has already established the District Education Centre (DEC), and is on its way to completing the Resource Education Centre (REC).

“The need for the REC is driven by a similar need that saw the DEC being constructed,” explains Doug Strachan, manager of communications services, Surrey Schools. “We had eight offices distributed throughout a large geographical area. Both the DEC and the REC are designed to bring together those offices to mitigate employee travel time and reduce significant leasing costs.”

Strachan advises that the REC – which offers 3,678 square metres of space – will incorporate a department and an educational program currently housed in leased facilities. It will also bring the consolidated offices and warehousing space closer to the main administration building, while offering plenty of room for classrooms and meeting spaces. And it will fulfill the district’s need for a large conference area.

“The first step in building the REC was to build the DEC,” he continues. “That took several years. The need for the DEC was identified in the mid-‘90s and we got the go-ahead in 2009. After the DEC was established, our thoughts turned to the REC, which we pursued as soon as possible. Both projects were fully funded through district revenue, not education funding.”

All-in-onE

The REC will provide a combination of warehouse and meeting space, with the former representing approximately one-third of the total. The warehousing area will also allow for processing and assembly of products to be re-shipped to the various schools. The rest of the space will be comprised of classrooms and meeting spaces, along with a conference area capable of seating 250 delegates. A small fitness centre will also be part of the new facility.

“We were dealing with almost two different solitudes in-

side of one building,” explains Ryan Huston, partner, CHP Architects. “So we created an ‘interior street’ to the design, with one side of the building containing the meeting spaces, classrooms and conference area, and the other side of the building housing the warehousing facilities.”

The REC offers one level for the warehousing area and three storeys of space for classrooms, meeting and conference areas. Extensive use of exposed timber framing and gluelam columns in the meeting space on the top floor convey both warmth and beauty. A roof-top patio overlooks the Green Timber Urban Forest, the backdrop for the new REC.

“Our design is sympathetic to the DEC, which sits on the same property and uses a combination of concrete, glass and wood,” explains Huston. “People are welcomed into the building via a three-storey atrium that is infused with natural light.”

Other sustainable features in the design include natural ventilation, energy-efficient heating, recycling stations, as well as the use of natural and local materials with recycled content. Additional site elements include reduction of stormwater runoff, the use of native and drought-resistant plant materials, and the use of landscaping to provide shade and reduce “heat-island effect”.

This ecological commitment is also apparent in the new parking lot. Some 206 trees were initially going to be removed from the site to provide for ample parking, but consultations with the City of Surrey, the Green Timbers Heritage Society and an independent arborist, soon reduced that number to 87.

“The REC is an open and inviting facility that incorporates the latest technologies and offers a state-of-the-art meeting facility on the third floor,” says Strachan. “The design provides maximum value for money and adequately reflects the district’s needs. The spaces are designed to be flexible and to accommodate various programs from other leased spaces in Surrey, additional meeting spaces for break-out sessions and zone meetings, and expansion of office space as required.”

MoRE BAng FoR ThE BuCk

Upon completion in December 2015, the REC will have centralized and brought together an assortment of services, programs and administrative staff from the district. It will also have proven to be more economically efficient in the long run.

“The compact plan of the REC will minimize capital cost and maintenance costs,” says Strachan.

Cost to build the REC is estimated to be $10 million. Money, it would seem, that is being well spent to create efficiencies for a school district that is continuing to grow.

“We’re certainly one of the fastest-growing districts in the province,” concludes Strachan. “And we’re one of only a few that has shown steady and consistent growth over the last 10 to 15 years.” b

Sammy Tong Belimo Americas

Western Region Sales Manager Vancouver, BC Mississauga Office Tel: 866-805-7089 Tel: 604-221-6105 Cell: 778-772-6273 sammy.tong@ca.belimo.com www.belimo.ca