SFU Community Trust Year End Report 2009 1
How do we create financial and community value in a challenging local market?
Through a commitment to our goals and strategic investment that lays the groundwork for future growth.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO For those who followed the trajectory of the Vancouver real estate market in 2009 it will come as no surprise that the past year presented some significant challenges for SFU Community Trust in developing UniverCity. A significant slowdown in local markets that began in late 2008 took away any demand for development sites in the first three quarters of 2009. The Trust responded by reexamining core and discretionary spending plans in an attempt to weather a downturn that we expected would last through 2009 and perhaps beyond. Our strategy was a simple yet necessary one: defer all infrastructure spending that was not immediately required to meet existing commitments; while at the same time continuing planning work to allow for quick reengagement when market demand returned. By the fourth quarter of 2009, increased affordability in the housing market (brought on by price decreases earlier in the year and significant interest rate reductions made by the Bank of Canada) encouraged buyers to return to the market, and along with them came renewed interest in development sites. UniverCity saw significant interest in its sites during the fourth quarter, and I am very pleased to report that, as of the end of 2009, we now have a completed lease transaction on one development parcel and a signed offer to lease on another - both are scheduled to be under construction in the spring or summer of 2010. While 2009 was a challenging year for the Trust, UniverCity was able to take advantage of a very quick turnaround in the local real estate market for two very important reasons: One, our willingness to balance fiscal restraint with continued preparation for future growth; and two, our ongoing commitment to creating exceptional value through the development of this community. Past investment and planning decisions such as our support for the elementary school, the implementation of our urban design and green building guidelines, and the development of a vibrant retail area along the High Street add significantly to the attractiveness of the community, for developers as well as residents. As we move into 2010, we will continue to build on the value that has been created here in the past to make the coming year a very successful one. We look forward to creating additional value in the community directly through the completion of the Phase 3 rezoning and development of parcels 27 and 28, as well as indirectly through the opening of the Nesters Community Market, the completion of the elementary school, the development of a new childcare centre, and the upgrades to Richard Bolton Park.
Gordon Harris President and CEO
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TABLE OF CONTENTS SFU COMMUNITY TRUST Who We Are
4
What We Do
4
The Four Cornerstones
5
Why We Do It
4
UNIVERCITY IN 2009 Managing uncertainty while keeping commitments
6
Responding Quickly to Improving Conditions
10
Setting the Stage for Future Growth Continuing to Build Value in 2010
8
12
TELLING THE UNIVERCITY STORY IN 2009 Awards
15
Media Highlights
16
Conferences
15
GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
18
The Trust Team
20
Key Consultants
21
OTHER STAKEHOLDER GROUPS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
19 21
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SFU COMMUNITY TRUST Who We Are SFU Community Trust (the Trust)
University-owned land to the City of Burnaby to form part of the
manages the development of UniverCity
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. In return, the city approved
on Burnaby Mountain, a model sustainable
an Official Community Plan (OCP), in 1996, allowing SFU to begin
community neighbouring Canada’s
developing a residential community.
leading comprehensive university, Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Burnaby, British Columbia. Acting as trustee of the lands that comprise UniverCity, the Trust oversees the provision of zoned, serviced, subdivided sites to private sector developers on a prepaid leasehold basis. What We Do Developed through a collaborative and integrated planning process, UniverCity is designed to be a compact, mixed-use and transit-oriented community founded on principles of sustainability. The groundwork for UniverCity was laid in 1963, when Arthur Erickson and Geoff Massey submitted their initial plan for SFU. Complementing their vision for the mountaintop campus, this plan saw the new university anchoring a dense residential community. In 1996 SFU agreed to transfer 332 hectares of
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Throughout each stage of its design and development, the Trust has worked with key stakeholders to ensure that the new community would integrate residential, commercial, and academic uses in a manner that benefits the University as well as advancing innovative solutions to sustainable community building. UniverCity is currently home to nearly 3,000 residents and will accommodate more than 10,000 when fully built out. While most parcels will accommodate owned and rental market housing, some parcels will be developed as non-market housing in order to produce housing for a broad spectrum residents. Additionally, there are four mixed-used parcels along University High Street (two of which have been developed) that combine residential development with office and retail uses in order to meet the day-to-day needs of residents and an expanding campus community. Why We Do It SFU Community Trust has two primary goals in developing the UniverCity community: first, to create a model of sustainable community development on Burnaby Mountain that supports university life as well as contributes to the creation of a more sustainable society; and second, to establish and grow an endowment fund in support of teaching and research at SFU.
The Four Cornerstones UniverCity has been developed as a model sustainable urban community, internationally recognized for its innovations in green building and community design. The community is founded on four ‘Cornerstones of Sustainability’ - Environment, Equity, Economy and Education. These four cornerstones can be summarized as follows: Education • Enhance university life, academic structure and activities; • Create a model sustainable community that educates and inspires. Equity • Create a healthy, safe, livable and complete community; • Provide an appropriate mix of housing types and tenures. Economy • Maximize the long-term value of SFU’s Endowment Fund; • Encourage opportunities for commercial and community development. Environment • Provide a range of transportation choices; • Preserve and improve the natural heritage of Burnaby Mountain; •P rovide sustainable and efficient infrastructure, public spaces, and buildings
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UNIVERCITY IN 2009 Managing uncertainty while keeping commitments The beginning of 2009 saw the
Projects that moved forward in 2009
continuation of a pronounced slow-down
either had previous legal commitments to
in regional housing demand that began
assist our development partners, or were
in 2008. Forecasts indicated that this
required to maintain goodwill with the
decline in economic growth and housing
UniverCity community.
market activity might persist for some time. In response, the Trust and its Board of Directors began a process of assessing project expenditures. The aim was to limit current year infrastructure and related spending to meet only the Trust’s pre-existing commitments.
Among the activities that did go ahead in early 2009, one of the most significant was the completion of the public realm fronting the Hub development project as it neared completion. Prior to the move-in of new residents into the Hub in June
Working closely with the Finance
and July of 2009, the Trust completed
Committee of the Board of Directors,
significant upgrades to High Street,
Trust staff identified more than $30
Tower Road, Cornerstone Gate and
million in infrastructure and related
the Cornerstone Mews. In addition to
spending that could be deferred to
allowing for occupancy of the Hub, this
decrease the Trust’s financial risk.
work significantly enhanced the overall look and feel of the retail precinct of the community.
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With the completion of the Hub, the Trust
The Trust has been working closely with
also completed the purchase of Hub retail
the Burnaby Board of Education in the
space and associated parking. As with
development of the new school since
the Cornerstone, purchase of this space
the project approval was announced by
is funded through retail rents and will
MLA Harry Bloy in January of 2009 .
represent a significant revenue source for
The project is now well underway with
the University once the debt is retired.
significant renovation and site works
Occupying this space will be UniverCity’s
completed. The project is on schedule for
new grocery store, pharmacy and café, by
the school to open in September 2010.
Nesters Market.
As part of the elementary school project,
In July 2009, Nesters moved into their
the Trust identified a number of related
space and began tenant improvements
works that needed to get done. These
with a scheduled opening in January 2010
included road work along Tower Road
fronting the school site and a number
2009 also brought confirmation of funding by the Ministry of Education for the new elementary school. The elementary school has been a long-standing commitment of the Trust and represented a vital
of upgrades to Richard Bolton Park— these include new play equipment and a new multi-use pathway—which needed to be underway concurrent with school site excavation.
expenditure, even in this period of cost reductions. The Trust’s participation through a contribution of $1.25 million was a catalyst to kickstart this important community facility, a partnership by the Province of BC, the Burnaby Board of Education, the City of Burnaby, and SFU Community Trust.
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Setting the Stage for Future Growth While 2009 was very much about thrift and minimizing financial risk,
Design work also continued on the
it was also a year to identify and plan for future expansion. While the
new childcare centre. As this project
past year saw an emphasis placed on initiatives that represented
is required by the City of Burnaby to
commitments made by the Trust, the Trust continued to pursue a policy
be underway prior to any new parcel
of readiness and flexibility in order to be ready to respond to local
development, design work continuing
market conditions.
through 2009 allowed the Trust to
A decision was made early in 2009 to delay submission of UniverCity’s Phase 3 rezoning application due to the large cost and credit
move this project forward quickly in the event of land lease activity.
obligations that the rezoning would trigger. It was felt that it would
With the completion of the Hub
be unwise to assume these costs without corresponding revenue from
development came the launch of
parcel leasing. However, Trust staff continued working with the
Vancouver-based artist Erica Stocking’s
City of Burnaby to ensure that application could be reactivated once
Yellow Fence, a public art piece that uses
it became clear that demand for residential sites had returned.
the individual townhouse gates along
The Trust maintained plans for addressing infrastructure deficiencies in an effort to decrease outstanding Letters of Credit obligations with the City of Burnaby. This will remove constraints on approximately $1.5 million in lending capacity currently impacted by bonding requirements.
Cornerstone Mews to mark the boundary between public and private space. Ms. Stockings work takes its inspiration from wire meshed construction fencing to provide a bold point of expression along a public face of UniverCity’s most recent mixed-use development.
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Yellow Fence is the first work in a new
UniverCity. The scheme is also flexible
public art program at UniverCity aimed
enough to respond to the potential
at supporting artistic excellence through
development of a Burnaby Mountain
partnerships between our developers
transit gondola. The proposed transit
and the Trust. This unique program
hub will add costs to the development
engages emerging and established
of Parcel 24 and requires some redesign
artists in the creation of works that
of University High Street. Since the new
generate dialogue and discussion about
concept is not expected to be developed
community and sustainability.
for five to seven years, the next steps
The past year also saw the completion of a new concept for the future redevelopment of the Burnaby Mountain Transit Hub. The approved design concept envisions
require all three stakeholders, SFU Community Trust, SFU, and TransLink to identify future funding options for the approved scheme.
bus loading and unloading shifting from
In the meantime, TransLink will use
the existing transit loop to a more urban
the existing bus loop to provide transit
condition along East Campus Road and
services to the mountain. As the existing
University High Street. Buses will be
loop is too small for the current volume
stored in a new structured facility to be
of buses, the Trust has agreed to allow
integrated into the future development
TransLink to use Highland Court as a
of Parcel 24. This will allow TransLink to
spillover bus storage location until the
meet future demand for transit services
final design is implemented.
on Burnaby Mountain in a manner that integrates the SFU campus and
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Responding Quickly to Improving Conditions Throughout 2009, the Trust engaged in conversations with a large
High Street Parcel, similar to Parcel 25.
number of developers regarding the leasing of parcels at UniverCity.
This will be done to accommodate the
It was not until the third quarter of 2009 however, that market
needs of the future transit hub facility,
conditions began to improve and these discussions started to move
and to allow some flexibility in urban
toward formal offers to lease.
form, density, and unit count.
By the end of 2009, the Trust concluded a lease transaction for
The Phase 3 zoning also a new zoning
Parcel 27 (located at the southeast corner of Tower Road and
bylaw that will be the first in Canada
University High Street), and had a signed conditional offer to
to call for specific and comprehensive
lease for Parcel 28 (located east of Parcel 27 along the south side
Green Building Requirements as part
of University High Street). Both will be wood-frame projects of
of the city’s approval process. With the
four to five storeys in height, totaling an estimated 150 apartments
enactment of this zoning, the buildings
and townhomes.
developed at UniverCity are expected to
The Trust’s timely response to changing market conditions in the Lower Mainland grew from ongoing discussions with developers throughout late 2008 and 2009. Previous decisions helped set the stage for future land sales by ensuring that infrastructure works, planning for the childcare, and an updated Phase 3 rezoning submission were sufficiently advanced to take advantage of changing market conditions.
be 40% more efficient than traditional buildings. The Trust has worked closely with design and cost consultants to ensure that these new standards do not add more than 1% to the cost of development, thus minimizing the implications for our development partners. As well, the zoning will allow
In December 2009, the Trust resubmitted the rezoning application for
for an additional 10% density bonus for
Phase 3 of the UniverCity community, with the aim to enacting
developers seeking additional energy or
the zoning in the spring of 2010.
water management measures over and
There are two variations to the previous Phase 3 zoning application.
above the basic requirements.
The first is be the further subdivision of Parcel 22 into two sites to allow for the planned childcare site, and a redesign of the potential built form capacity of its new neighbouring residential parcel. The second will be the consolidation of Parcel 23 and 24 into one large
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Parcel 17 Parcel 16
Parcel 18
Altaire Parcel 20
Parcel 19
PHASE 3
Parcel 21
Parcel 23
Transit Hub
Novo Two Park
Parcel 22 Childcare
Aurora
Verdant Serenity
Future elementary school
Parcel24
PHASE 2
Novo
Parcel 25 Town Square Cornerstone
PHASE 1
The Hub Parcel 15
Harmony
Parcel 27 Parcel 28 Parcel 30
One University Cresent
Parcel 29
Parcel 31 Parcel 35
Parcel 33 Parcel 32
Parcel 41
Parcel 36 Parcel 37
Parcel 40 Parcel 38
Parcel 39
PHASE 4
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Continuing to Build Value in 2010 The Trust is looking forward to the
The school is being developed through
official opening of the new UniverCity
a partnership between the Trust, SFU,
Nesters Market in early January 2010.
the Burnaby Board of Education, the
Our partners at Buy-Low Foods
City of Burnaby, and the BC Ministry of
(operator of the Nesters Market chain)
Education. The school will be the first
have been hard at work completing their
school renovation in BC to be built to
UniverCity location. Once open, it will
a LEED® Gold standard of design and
feature a pharmacy and a café, making
operational efficiency. The school will
it one of the largest stores in the Nesters
also feature a sustainability-focused
portfolio. The new store will feature
curriculum, which will use the building
a merchandise mix tailored to the
and grounds to teach students about their
UniverCity and SFU communities with
impact on the local environment.
a higher proportion of local and organic goods, and a wide array of prepared foods for easy and convenient meals.
be focused on preparation for development of parcels 27 and 28. This will require the
Early in the New Year, the existing Post
construction of the Slopes Mews – running
Office outlet located in the SFU-operated
parallel to University High Street. This
MicroComputer Store will be relocated
significant piece of infrastructure will pave
to Nesters Market. This will benefit the
the way for future development of Parcel 29
UniverCity community by expanding the
in Phase 3, as well as allow for development
operating hours.
of parcel 30, 31, 33, and 40 as part of Phase 4.
As already noted, one of the highlights of 2010 will be the opening of the new elementary school at UniverCity.
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Infrastructure works in 2010 will largely
With the leasing of parcels 27 and 28, the Trust will move forward with
By developing a neighbourhood system,
the final design and construction of the new childcare centre. Starting in
the Trust is able to pursue alternative
spring of 2010, the Trust will begin construction of this much-anticipated
energy supply systems for heat and
and important community amenity. Once completed in 2011, the facility
domestic hot water delivery. This will
(to be operated by the SFU Childcare Society) will offer an innovative
significantly increase building energy
model of early childhood education to 50 resident three-to-five year
efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
olds. The state of the art facility will be built as one the first buildings in Canada to meet a Living Building standard. This leading-edge standard of design, construction and operation will make it one of the most sustainable structures in North America. Water used in the building will be almost entirely recovered from rainwater or recycled from within the building itself. Power will be generated on-site from renewable sources, and building materials and methods used in its construction will meet exacting thresholds to drastically reduce carbon impacts and improve indoor air quality.
Having completed the feasibility study in collaboration with a private-sector partner, the Trust has identified a combination of biomass (wood waste) and waste heat recovery (from a future SFU data centre) as the two most viable sources of energy for the community. The next step in 2010 is the negotiation of an infrastructure agreement that will allow for the design,
The Trust continues to move forward toward a sustainable
development, installation, and operation
neighbourhood energy system for UniverCity. The goal is to create
of the regulated energy utility serving all
a system that provides regulated utility service at a competitive
future developments.
price for our future residents.
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During 2009, the Trust continued its
Looking forward to 2010, the Trust
work with stakeholders to move the
expects to work with representatives
Gondola Transit Project forward.
from TransLink, the BC Ministry of
A significant milestone was the signing
Transportation, and the Government
of a Memorandum of Understanding
of Canada to carry out further business
with TransLink regarding this project
case development for this project with
that lays out each agency’s role and
an aim to receive approval for the
outlines a process to achieve this exciting
project and issuing a formal Request for
transit link to the Millenium Skytrain line.
Qualifications in the coming year.
It also lays out a framework for future cost sharing.
The Trust’s role in this project is, and will continue to be, to facilitate the implementation of the gondola transit project at no significant cost to the Trust.
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TELLING THE UNIVERCITY STORY IN 2009 Part of the mandate of the Trust is to educate the development community and the general public on the many lessons learned about sustainable community building at UniverCity. In 2009, the Trust was able to highlight the project through various awards and recognition for the work done to date. Conference presentations, media mentions and profiles highlighting the unique, innovative work occurring at UniverCity contributed to expanding and solidifying awareness of the UniverCity Project, regionally,
Conferences Trust staff also presented at a number of conferences in 2009 allowing them to further tell the story of UniverCity. These included: • Gaining Ground Summit in Vancouver, BC • BC Land Summit in Whistler, BC • UniverCities Conference in Portsmouth, UK
nationally and internationally.
• West Coast Green in San Francisco, CA
Awards
• Living Future in Vancouver, BC
This year, the UniverCity project was honoured as a winner of the
• Canadian District Energy Association
Urban Land Institute’s Awards for Excellence: The Americas competition. UniverCity was up against stiff competition for the honor with 140 other projects from across North and South America vying for recognition. UniverCity was one of only 10 Projects to receive an award. This year also saw Gordon Harris, SFU Community Trust’s President and CEO, honoured with election to the College of Fellows of the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP). Election as a Fellow is the highest award the CIP can bestow on a planner, and is given only to those members who exhibit the highest professional attainment and wide ranging experience.
Annual Conference in Halifax, NS • Cascadia Transformative Lecture Series in Kelowna and Victoria, BC • Sustainable Connections Conference in Bellingham, WA •N eptis Foundation Forum in Toronto, ON • Presentation to Alberta University Administrators in Calgary and Edmonton, AB • Government Relations Officers Conference in Burnaby, BC • Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment Symposium on the Business Case for Sustainable Urbanism in Vancouver, BC
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Media Highlights The Trust received a great deal of local
• The Georgia Straight “Public art in
and national media in 2009. Headlines
private spaces” (August 20, 2009)
garnered by the project this year include: • SFU Peak “SFU becomes the first Canadian school in Prince’s sustainability foundation” (November 16, 2009) • SFU Peak “SFU Gondola Project: Feasible” (October 13, 2009) • BC Business “PWL has forged a reputation for innovative designs that contribute to the development of liveable cities” (September, 2009) • The Daily Score “Density, Suite Density” (September 14, 2009)
• SABMag “An update on the Living Building Challenge” (July/August 2009) • Burnaby Now “City may contribute to new school gym” (July 22, 2009) • Burrnaby Now “New school moving ahead at UniverCity” (July 11, 2009) • Vancouver Sun “Vancouver considers tiny suites in effort to ease renting crunch” (June 16, 2009) • BCTV “Vancouver considers 205 square foot mini-suites” (June 16, 2009) • Vancouver Sun “Polygon offers discounts for connections to SFU” (June 13, 2009)
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• Burnaby Now “Developer offers discount – Students, faculty can access major savings on condo units” (June 13, 2009) • Granville Magazine “Home Green Home” (May 7, 2009) • Vancouver Magazine “Kings of the Hill” (May 2009) • UniverCity Media Release “UniverCity Wins Urban Land Institute Award for Excellence” (April 24, 2009) • The Peak – Campus News “Nesters Market offers more sustainable way of living” (March 23, 2009) • Vancouver 24 Hours “Gondola idea floated for students” (March 9, 2009) • SFU News “Gondola aired” (February 19, 2009) • Burnaby Now “Herculean effort to fix traffic woes” (February 18, 2009) • SFU Peak “Gondola Planned for SFU” (February 16, 2009) • The Province “Gondola proposed for Burnaby
• Burnaby Newsleader “Whistler-style gondola eyed for Burnaby Mountain” (February 12, 2009) • Burnaby Now “Take the gondola? MLA pushes plans for rapid gondola system that would run up Burnaby Mountain” (February 11, 2009) • Burnaby Newsleader “This gondola idea just might fly” (February 11, 2009) • Burnaby Now “Gondola considered for Burnaby Mountain” (February 10. 2009) • Harry Bloy’s Newsletter “Planned Burnaby Mountain Gondola” (February 10, 2009) • SFU News “ $8 million for UniverCity elementary school 2010” (February 5, 2009) • Burnaby Now “It’s the best of both worlds” (January 31, 2009) • Green Technology News “Province of British Columbia: SFU Welcomes New Elementary School” (January 30, 2009) • British Columbia News Release “SFU Welcomes New Elementary School” (January 29, 2009)
Mountain run” (February 13th, 2009)
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GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Howard Nemtin
The Trust is governed by a Board of
President, Nemtin Consultants Ltd.
Directors comprising key SFU stakeholders, faculty and student representatives as well as a number of prominent real estate and development
Daniel Pekarsky Deputy Board Chair, SFU Board of Governors / President, Corporate Advisory Group Inc.
experts. The Board of Directors
Ravi Patel
establishes policy for the SFU
Student Senator, Simon Fraser University (SFU Student
Community Trust and plays an active
Association Representative)
role in shaping the planning and
Dr. Mark Roseland
development of UniverCity.
Professor, Simon Fraser University (Faculty Representative)
David Gillanders, QC
Dr. Michael Stevenson
Board Chair, SFU Community Trust /
President, Simon Fraser University
Associate Counsel, Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP Gordon Harris President and CEO, SFU Community Trust Dr. Robert Anderson Professor, Simon Fraser University (Community Advisory Committee Representative) Jane Bird CEO, Canada Line Rapid Transit Inc. Dr. Warren Gill Vice-President (University Relations), Simon Fraser University
Brian Taylor Member SFU Board of Governors / Partner, Bull Housser & Tupper Allan Waisman President and CEO, Intercon Capital Inc. Bruno Wall President, Wall Financial Corp. Lee Gavel Chief Facilities Officer/University Architect, Simon Fraser University (Non-Voting Member) In 2009, the Trust saw the retirement of long-time board member Peter Eng. One of the founders of Allied Holdings Group, Peter served on the Board of Directors of the SFU Community Trust for more than 10 years. We would like to thank Peter for his wisdom, guidance and
Dr. Patricia Hibbitts
oversight during his tenure – Peter was a vital part of the success of
Vice-President (Finance and
the Trust and UniverCity.
Administration), Simon Fraser University Barry Macdonald Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
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The Board of Directors has two standing committees that oversee and
Burnaby/SFU/Trust Liaison Committee
provide guidance to staff on specific aspects of the Trust’s planning
This committee meets twice a year to
and finance activities. Members of these two committees are:
review matters of mutual interest and
Planning Committee Brian Taylor (Chair), Robert Anderson, Chuck Brook, Lee Gavel, Warren Gill, David Gillanders,Mark Roseland, Allan Waisman, Bruno Wall, Gordon Harris Finance Committee Howard Nemtin (Chair), Pat Hibbitts, Jane Bird, Barry Macdonald, Gordon Harris
concern to Simon Fraser University, SFU Community Trust, and the City of Burnaby. University-Related Committees In addition to this major committee involvement, Trust representatives serve on a number of SFU committees including the Transit Services Liaison Committee, the Sustainability Advisory
OTHER STAKEHOLDER GROUPS Trust staff are also active participants in a number of community, municipal, and university-related committees. These include:
Committee, the Emergency Management Committee, and the Severe Weather Planning Committee. The Trust also offers its real estate expertise on a
SFU Community Association
consulting basis to the University
This community-based association comprises representatives of
President and his senior executive team
each strata residential complex plus the Cornerstone rental housing,
on a number of issues. Most recently,
and the Trust as representative of the Cornerstone commercial
the Trust has provided insight into the
tenants. The SFU Community Association meets six times a year.
University’s examination of new district
The Trust’s Director of Community Development sits as a member
energy options and expansion of the
of the association and provides ongoing support.
student housing supply.
Community Advisory Committee Comprising faculty and staff representatives, key outside organizations including Canada Mortgage and Housing, BC Housing, BC Condominium Homeowners’ Association, Smart Growth BC, and others, the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) was established by the SFU Board of Governors at the pre-development stage of UniverCity’s history. Its role was to provide a forum for stakeholders to discuss the development of the community in the absence of a significant resident population. As UniverCity has grown to a population of almost 3,000, these residents increasingly contribute to community decision-making. Therefore, 2009 saw the wind-down of the CAC. An event was held in September to allow the Trust and its Board of Directors to sincerely thank the past and current members of the CAC for their support and contribution to the UniverCity project.
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The Trust Team Gordon Harris is president and CEO of SFU Community Trust.
Dale Mikkelsen is the Manager of
Under Gordon’s leadership, SFU Community Trust is developing
Planning and Sustainability for SFU
UniverCity, a sustainable urban community adjacent to Simon Fraser
Community Trust. Dale and the Trust’s
University’s Burnaby Mountain campus. Gordon and his team are
team are making significant and
making significant and innovative contributions toward the creation
innovative contributions toward the
of independent and universal green building standards, promoting
creation of independent and universal
complete communities, increasing transportation choices, and
green building standards to ensure a high
enhancing the overall quality of the urban built environment.
level of urban design and environmental
Prior to joining SFU Community Trust, Gordon had a distinguished career as a professional urban planner. For 20 years he provided consulting services to a wide range of Canadian and international clients and was recognized as one of Canada’s leading providers of market-based economic analysis and strategic planning support to local governments and the private sector. Gordon has served as a member of the Planning Institute of BC Council and is the former Chair of both the Membership Committee and the Professional Practices Review Committee. Other current and past community and professional board memberships include the Urban Futures Institute, Presentation House Cultural Society and the Vancouver Contemporary Art Gallery. He is also a contributing editor of the Ontario Planning Journal and a senior associate with the Canadian Urban Institute. In 2009 Gordon was elected a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Planners in recognition of his significant contribution to the profession in Canada. Jonathan Tinney joined the Trust in April 2008. He is the Director of Community Development and is charged with overseeing the Trust’s initiatives to incorporate the development of leading edge planning policy, innovative green building and infrastructure standards, and pioneering community building programs to create a complete and truly sustainable urban community. Suzan Fairfield is the Trust’s Controller and has been working with the Trust since 2002. Suzan is responsible for all financial accounting, reporting, and budgeting for the Trust and she is the principal liaison to the Board’s Finance Committee.
performance. Dale is charged with raising the bar of sustainable community planning to ensure UniverCity remains on the leading edge of energy efficiency, material conservation, healthy environments and community building. Dion Doepker was the Trust’s Manager of Development Engineering. His primary role is the oversight and coordination of UniverCity’s infrastructure works. Dion left the Trust in 2009, but continues to be involved with UniverCity through his new role as a land development engineer overseeing the project on behalf of the City of Burnaby’s engineering department. Nicole Young joined the Trust in 2006 and is the Trust’s Manager of Office Administration and Executive Assistant. She ensures the smooth running of the Trust and is responsible for all Board and committee-related activities. Alexandra Tudose joined the Trust in May 2007 as our Administrative Assistant. Alexandra plays a key role as the “face” of the Trust at the front counter. She oversees the Community Transit Pass program and assists in many community activities and programs at UniverCity.
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Cheryl Stronach is the Trust’s
Key Consultants
Administrative Assistant and has been
The Trust’s professional and administrative staff continue to be
with the Trust since early 2002. Cheryl’s
supported by a core group of professional consultants with a long
duties include lease administration and
history of providing planning, design, engineering, green building and
related administration duties.
sustainable development advice, and other services to UniverCity.
Jesse Galicz joined the Trust in late
These include:
2008 as a Planning Assistant. He is
• Bill Cox; BDO Dunwoody
currently a master’s candidate in SFU’s
• Peter Joyce; Bunt and Associates
Urban Studies program. At the Trust he assists in general planning and community development activities.
• Rod Guertler; Butler Sundvick and Associates • Alan Endall; Endall Elliot Associates • Gabor Vasarhelyi; GMV Engineering • Dick Butler; Golder & Associates • Karen Marler and Roger Hughes; HCMA Architects • Ken Dobell; Hill & Knowlton Canada • Norm Hotson; Hotson Bakker Boniface Haden Architects + Urbanistes • Declan Rooney, Jennifer Nam and Nick Lawlor; Hunter Laird Engineering • Ben Garfinkel, Matt SamyciaWood and Steve Mynett; Industrial Brand • Anson Lee; Karo • Ted Steele and Bill Christensen; Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd. • Ron Kistritz; Kistritz & Associates
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SFU Community Trust acknowledges the following people for their continued
• Lisa Vogt and Elizabeth Yip; McCarthy Tetrault • Peter Arbuckle and Vincent Thompson; MKT Arkle Development Management Inc.
support and commitment to UniverCity
• Nancy Spooner; Nancy Spooner Consulting Inc.
and for all the time that is devoted to
• Bryce Tupper, P. Eng; NORR Architects Planners Inc.
the work of the SFU Community Trust.
• Marta Farevaag; PFS Planning, Urban Design and
Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan; MLA Harry Bloy; Burnaby School Board; Board of Education; SFU Community Corporation Board of Directors; SFU Community Advisory Committee;
Landscape Architecture • Susan Wilkins; Pottinger Gaherty Environmental Consultants Ltd. • Margot Long and Jason Wegman; PWL Partnership • Robert Brown and Heather Tremain; reSource Rethinking Building Inc.
SFU Community Corporation Finance
• Randy Sharp and Teri Cantin; Sharp & Diamond Landscape Architects
Committee; SFU Community Corporation
• Jeff Burton; Trilogy Management Services
Planning Committee.
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univercity. ca
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