U of G and United Way use occasion to kick-off charity drive
On the afternoon of Sept. 24, the newly redesigned Branion Plaza was put to good use by kicking-off the annual University of Guelph United Way Campaign. University President Alastair Summerlee was on hand to reveal the target for this year. The goal, this year, is “a very, very aggressive” $590,000, announced Summerlee.
Members of the United Way were in attendance selling hot dogs, a band was playing on the new stage-cum-seating area, and students watched as members of the planning committee charged through a banner to “formally” begin the campaign.
Branion Plaza, the courtyard in front of the University Centre, has been under construction since the beginning of the school year. Its redesign features a large, oval-shaped open space where students can congregate, surrounded by short concrete walls intended for seating. The bicycle racks have been relocated to improve drainage at the base of the hill, and a grassy knoll has been constructed in front of Old Jeremiah.
The redesign was intended to be as economical as possible, both in terms of cost and construction.
“You know, this site is about the size of the one in front of City Hall and it cost four per cent of the project in front of City Hall,” said Don O’Leary, Vice-President of Finance and Administration. “That speaks to how people really worked to make sure that every dollar is spent really diligently.”
The cost of the renovation was just over $300,000.
Maurice Nelischer, professor emeritus in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, undertook the redesign of the plaza, and spearheaded the project along with members from Physical Resources. He was pleased to see that people were already beginning to make the space their own.
“The design isn’t important, so much as it’s a place for people to make the design wonderful and beautiful,” said Nelischer.
“We’ll be doing a couple of other areas over the next few months,” added O’Leary. “The fiftieth anniversary is coming up and we want to have this place looking really great for next spring.”
Other anniversary-related projects include a pathway spanning Johnston Green, a new welcome sign/green space by the Gordon-Stone Road intersection, and a refresh of the space in front of War Memorial Hall.
With its subtle, albeit rather clever design – there are, for example, power outlets embedded in the concrete seating, which has itself been specially coated to protect it from reckless painters – the redesign went over well with students.
“I think it’s absolutely gorgeous,” said Victoria Coles, a studio art major. “I love the little seating area. I just think its great.”
“It’s definitely different,” said Stephanie Bysma, an applied human nutrition major. “Guelph has a lot of really diverse people and it’s kind of cool just sit and people-watch and get to talk to people you don’t normally talk to. It’s a lot better for that kind of thing.”