LSSU to invest more than $10 Million in campus improvements

What’s happening: Lake Superior State University plans a major infrastructure improvement plan to improve comfort and safety of students and staff. The price tag is above $10 million. Campus-wide improvements include major roof repairs, upgrades to sidewalks, roads and parking areas, as well as refreshed landscaping and new signage. Several academic and administrative buildings will also see enhancements to heating and cooling systems, electrical infrastructure and overall energy efficiency.

An evolving campus: The Sault Ste. Marie university is built on the former military base Fort Brady, which creates an interesting mix of buildings that fall under historic preservation guidelines and more modern buildings that are crucial for student life and modern education needs. Connecting the old with the new does not stop at infrastructure inventory, as parking, walkability and visitor integration helps bring the campus together. Plans for additional sidewalks, landscaping and campus-wide signage is also included in the university’s goals to make LSSU stronger as a campus.

What they’re saying: “Investing in our campus means that we are investing in our students, employees, and community. We look forward to the positive impact these significant improvements will have on our learning environment, student and staff pride, and the evolving needs of our community. We are excited about the future of Lake Superior State University,” said Dr. David Travis, president of LSSU. “I cannot express enough my appreciation for the support we are getting from our donors. Since I joined Lake State, I have made it clear that our students, staff, and the surrounding community deserve a better campus infrastructure, and many individuals have stepped up to help.”

What’s next: First steps are already underway, with various engineering studies are scheduled to identify more specific changes needed across the campus. The university’s board of trustees will use these to establish a more organized rollout. First announced was improvements to the HVAC system at the Taffy Abel Ice Arena to fix condensation problems and other issues within the Norris Events Center.