I have nothing but great things to say about the Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness building, as every group on campus—especially students—were consulted on the construction of this building, and it is, from the perspective of the CCSS, a smashing success.
My co-worker Michel Turcotte and I were sought out for our input, and the college is generally good about seeking input or providing opportunity for us, but I have never seen it put into action in the way this was. It’s nothing less than an astounding space because of the tremendous work done by so many, but spearheaded by Cynthia Smith, the now retired dean of the school of Health & Human Services (HHS) and Carly Hall, who was at the time in an admin role and has now returned to be faculty in Continuing Care.
When Michel and I sat down with these two visionaries they laid out the plan for the building, where on campus it was going to be, priorities for student spaces for group work, and hallway study pods. It was positive and it was so great, but Michel and I saw a huge flaw in the plan in the placement of the building. The college had predicated the concept of the building on the idea that they should build right next to PISE, far away from the nearest Camosun building, the Centre for Business and Access (CBA), because they would later build a student residence in the space between.
We begged them not to build next to PISE as our experience was the students at PISE were cut off from any flow of campus life. Carly and Cynthia listened to us, asked questions, posed arguments in favour of the original idea, and then they agreed and recommended that the building get built close to CBA. I was blown away as I was on the consultation group for PISE and everything we suggested was ignored, and that building broke many promises to be built. However, this time the priority was to meet the needs of as many people as possible, and it is a glorious success. Did they do everything perfect? No, but everyone who worked on that project, from Camosun Facilities and the staff of HHS to the contractors that did the work, should be damn proud, as that building welcomes and supports student needs better than any other space we have. Kudos.