UTILIZATION

Key to the long-term development of campus is understanding how existing spaces are being used.

Bookable classrooms and laboratories utilization were reviewed to inform space optimization, both by understanding the utilization of both rooms and student seats to match room size to demand. Space optimization based on the intensity of actual use can impact both bookable spaces, such as classrooms and meeting rooms, and usable spaces, such as change rooms and collaboration spaces.

Efficient room utilization at an institutional level is targeted at 80%. This utilization rate supports efficient scheduling while also providing space for ad hoc or occasional use. Utilization below 70% indicates that there is too much classroom and laboratory stock.

Seat utilization within a room is targeted at 80%. Unlike rooms, seats cannot be booked on an ad hoc basis. Having a high utilization of seats indicates a good fit between section sizes and the required space for classrooms. Optimized scheduling matches both room size and room count. Combining classroom utilization with seat utilization provides a quick way to review overall, or real utilization. The Government of Alberta targets 64% real utilization.

Grande Prairie classroom and seat utilization falls short of Government of Alberta targets. Based on scheduling information provided for September 2021 to April 2022, the campus sees an average 57% classroom utilization and 50% seat utilization based on classroom capacity, combining for a real utilization of 26%. While this time frame is within the COVID pandemic, this utilization is within typical margins for this campus.

Fairview campus classroom and laboratory utilization is not recorded as classrooms and laboratories have been dedicated to programs. While this is a practice seen in many smaller post-secondary institutions, it does not allow for analysis or for increasing programming requirements in other academic areas. Recognizing this requirement, NWP has added a Health Care Aide laboratory and classroom. While the lab is dedicated to the program, the classroom has been developed as a general access and video conference-capable classroom.

After completing the Master Plan, Thinkspace will complete a laboratory utilization and optimization study. This study will include room and seat utilization reviews and recommendations. The study will also consider potential classroom renovations or consolidations to match academic space and class sizes.

4.3.2 CARDINAL BUILDING GYMNASIUM UTILIZATION

The gymnasium and fitness spaces on the Cardinal Campus are used for academic programming, athletics, recreation, and community access. While academic courses use all of the fitness facilities on campus and represent approximately 23% of the booking hours in the gymnasium, the heaviest users are the community and athletics programming.

4.3.3 CARDINAL BUILDING LEARNING COMMONS UTILIZATION

The learning commons have extended capacity due to long library hours, making the utilization look deceptively low. During peak academic hours, between 11:00 and 2:00 PM, 40-50% of the rooms are booked. On average, 265 students access the learning commons every week day and 49 students every weekend.

4.3.4 HEALTH EDUCATION CENTRE UTILIZATION

Health Education Centre (HEC) programming was coming on line during the time analyzed. As a result, the hours of utilization are lower than anticipated. Simulation labs typically have lower utilization rates than other lab types due to both the unique programmatic requirements supported by the labs and the set up and tear down time required to support learning. With additional simulations and improved technician availability, it is anticipated that utilization will increase in the future. When not used for labs, the debriefing rooms are being used as additional study space.