WINNIPEG, MB – A City of Winnipeg 2010 Accessibility Award was presented to UWinnipeg’s McFeetors Hall: Great-West Life Student Residence at a ceremony at City Hall today.
The McFeetors Hall design by Prairie Architects impressed the Accessibility Award Committee. The committee chose McFeetors Hall for its architectural design, which includes many accessible features that were incorporated into this environmental sustainable housing complex. McFeetors Hall also features affordable community housing that is incorporated into the residence, making it a unique student residence in Canada.
Excel in Providing Quality Education
“As an Alumnus of both the Collegiate and the University, I have seen many changes since my days as a student-in-residence. It’s gratifying to watch as the University continues to excel in providing quality education to a diverse range of students and their families,” said Raymond McFeetors, University of Winnipeg graduate (BA 1968) and Chairman of the Board of Great-West Lifeco Inc. “We’re all proud that McFeetors Hall provides an affordable, attractive and accessible residence in which our students can live and learn.”
Accessible for Residents & Visitors
“McFeetors Hall has incorporated many features making this residence accessible,” explained Lloyd Axworthy, UWinnipeg President & Vice-Chancellor. “There are apartments and dorm rooms with adapted kitchens and washrooms with wide doorways, hallways and closets, Braille on all signage, including washers/dryers/microwaves, for visually impaired residents, and the apartments and dorm units are fully `visitable’, with a talking elevator for the visually impaired, making this an accessible building for residents and visitors.”
Built on UWinnipeg’s emerging western Furby-Langside Campus, McFeetors Hall provides a home for 176 students, and 25 student families, and is a unique concept among universities in Canada. This SILVER LEED certified building includes leading edge environmental technologies such as geo-thermal heating to foster sustainability and energy efficiency.
The University of Winnipeg Community Renewal Corporation (UWCRC) managed the project on behalf of the University. The UWCRC’s mandate is to support the University by developing a sustainable University community that promotes the attractiveness of the University to its faculty, staff, students and the greater community.
The Winnipeg Accessibility Award raises awareness regarding the importance of accessibility and universal design in the City of Winnipeg. Universal design makes life more equitable, safe, comfortable and affordable for everyone, including people with disabilities. The award is presented to a facility or environment that is an outstanding example of universal design.
MEDIA CONTACT
Naniece Ibrahim, Communications Officer, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7130, E: n.ibrahim@uwinnipeg.ca
Marlene Klassen, Media and Public Relations, Great-West Life
P: 204.946.7705
