In fall 2019, the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) began the process of developing a strategic infrastructure and space master plan — a document that will help direct the future use of the WCVM building’s space and inform priorities to accommodate research, academic, clinical and administrative needs.

A master plan working group, with the support of the University of Saskatchewan (USask) Canadian Hub for Applied and Social Research (formerly the Social Sciences Research Laboratories) and overseen by the master plan advisory group, consulted with all areas of the WCVM to understand the current use of space and what needs are not being met.

This master plan is an agile document to be used in the planning of infrastructure and capital investment, annual and long-term budget planning, capital equipment renewal, and space/occupancy needs.

• Download Master Plan

• Inform future capital-related decisions as well as to highlight the medium- and long-term needs of WCVM and its partners.
• Ensure that the WCVM continues to meet or exceed accreditation standards.
• Better align institutional, college and facilities designated resources.
• Create a model for prioritizing space and capital decision making.
• Review and understand current space allocation and use.

The report begins with a point-in-time snapshot of the current use, occupants and space allocations in the WCVM building. Section 3 outlines the consultation process for gathering the data used to develop the themes and needs discussed in Section 4. Section 5 provides a recommendation for the review, prioritization and approval of projects based on the feedback heard from the college, as well as the WCVM and university strategic plans. The master plan recommends that these decisions be made by the dean through discussion at the executive committee table. Section 5.4 recommends that this master plan and its components be reviewed annually and a thorough consultation, similar to what is outlined in section 3, be conducted every five years.

For the 2022 review, it is recommended that special consideration be made of the effective use of college space in light of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact. Section 6 provides a list of the initiatives resulting from the extensive consultations with the college. The ideas are sorted into major initiatives requiring thought and development that address themes arising from the consultation process. Section 6.2 is a list of priority initiatives that are smaller in scope but still require review and final approval. Section 6 also identifies a few operational projects (such as room scheduling) that would result in a more efficient and effective use of space.

Section 7 sets out the first steps that college leadership can take to put this plan into action. The processes listed in section 5 should be approved, introduced to the college and initiated. A list of projects that could be started in the 2021-22 fiscal year are provided for discussion by the executive committee.

As part of the strategic planning processes for both the university and the WCVM, it is recommended that the college develops a long-term capital plan to ensure that its longer-term strategies are infrastructurally supported in a timely way and continue to meet accreditation standards.

Finally, it is important that the WCVM communicates its plans within the college, to the university leadership and to its provincial stakeholders. This Strategic Infrastructure and Space Master Plan should provide a solid foundation for an effective capital review and approval process — resulting in successful, strategic project initiation.