There are 409 steps from the bottom of the Nanaimo VIU campus, to the top, with many of them eyed for accessibility upgrades. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

education for all

Easier access to campus & classrooms coming for Nanaimo VIU students

Aug 31, 2022 | 1:18 PM

NANAIMO — A $3.3 million provincial grant, Vancouver Island University is set to upgrade its campus to become more inclusive and accessible.

The money will go towards upgrades for hard-to-access areas at the Nanaimo campus and improve access to many of their teaching spaces, buildings and locations which are currently a challenge for some.

President and vice-chancellor of VIU Deborah Saucier said one of their key commitments in their five-year strategic plan is being able to welcome a larger and more diverse group of learners.

“In recent years, VIU has significantly invested in capital improvements to increase the accessibility of our campus, as one of the many ways we are working toward making post-secondary education available to all at VIU.”

Planning and design for VIU’s existing infrastructure to be upgraded will begin in the fall of 2022, with work expected to be completed by early 2025.

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Upgrades include nine washrooms which are currently not universally accessible, the remediation of the three steepest and least navigable ramp and sidewalk routes, and the renovation of eight tiered classrooms to permit full access and accessibility for all users.

The total cost of the project is expected to be $3.5 million.

In 2017, VIU established a universal access committee to work on accessibility and inclusion projects, including a previous $2.9 million investment from the Province.

The new upgrades are expected to be environmentally friendly and help to advance the Province’s CleanBC goal of reducing climate pollution with more convenient, available, and affordable solutions for BC residents.

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