Rebuilding Updates
The Big Rebuild: The Second Phase of Rebuilding
(Conclusion)
Talks and bold ideas loomed in the boardroom of a plan to re-build – initially, only of new buildings to replace what was lost in the fire and to address pressing needs in facilities. However, in the course of conversations and consultations, a greater need surfaced that has to be addressed – that of a bigger re-build involving the entire university. Dubbed “the BIG Rebuild,” the plan will now consist of a comprehensive Campus Development Plan.
“The fire incident served as an opportunity for us to think big… plan for a better ADZU,” Fr President affirmed in his presentation during the August meeting of the Board of Trustees.
“The need for facilities such as classrooms, however, has been a perennial problem,” reported Fr President, “but this became even more pronounced after the fire.” Add to this is the advent of the Senior High School in the La Purisima campus. “More classrooms and laboratories are needed more than ever, among other facilities,” he added.
Envisioned in the Big Rebuild is a new building for classrooms and offices and a multi-level, multi-purpose complex building that will be the new home of a sports gym, an auditorium-cum-conference hall, a cafeteria, and rooms for seminars and meetings. Included also in the Big Plan is the exploration of business potentials that would capitalize on the University’s strategic location at the heart of the city.
With an estimated cost of loss and damages at 100M and a corresponding multi-hundred million worth rebuilding project, there is still much to be done especially in terms of raising the much needed funds. “Raising funds for these is a priority of the University,” said Fr President.
The Challenge Ahead
For the plan for a new building, Fr President said that the University will have to undertake a major fund raising campaign. “This is one of the challenging tasks ahead,” he said.
To assist him in undertaking the challenging tasks ahead, Fr President Karel San Juan, SJ, appointed director of the Center of Information Technology Services (CITS) Engr Eugene Kanindot as Assistant for Rebuilding, effective 8 August 2016.
Engr Kanindot is tasked with assisting Fr President in planning, managing, and supervising activities related to the rebuilding of facilities affected by the fire; coordinating the support of donors and friends including donations, fund-raising events, services, information, and materials; and providing information to the public on updates and progress on the rebuilding process.
“Raising funds is a priority of the University… This is one of the challenging tasks ahead.”
