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McFeetors Hall Fast Facts

HISTORY

  • On May 2, 2009, Dr. Raymond L. McFeetors, a Collegiate (1965) and University of Winnipeg graduate (BA 1968) and Chairman of the Board of Great-West Lifeco Inc., personally gifted $1.67 million to launch development of an innovative student residence for The University of Winnipeg and surrounding community
  • Great-West Life committed a further $1 million to the project, for a combined gift of $2.67 million to help make the student residence come alive
  • The Government of Manitoba granted $1.95 million through Manitoba Housing
  • The University of Winnipeg Doors and Windows fundraising campaign, made up of a team of 10 volunteer alumni who lived in residence with Honorary Chair Ray McFeetors leading the team, has provided more than $296,000 to date to support McFeetors Hall for a total of more than $5 million in private donations dedicated to the project so far
  • The balance of the project - $10.9 million - will be covered by long-term financing, to be repaid by revenues from housing operations
  • Architect: Prairie Architects Construction firm: Manshield. Construction started on July 30, 2008
  • Construction was completed August 2009, on time and on budget. Total project: just under $18 million

  • In November 2011, the building achieved Silver LEED Status from the Canadian Green Building Council

ACCESSIBLE FEATURES 

  • Two fully accessible two-bedroom apartments with adapted kitchens and washrooms, wide doorways, hallways

  • Four fully accessible dorm rooms with adapted washrooms and closet, and larger floor space

  • Two fully accessible kitchens in common areas/lounges

  • Braille on all signage, washers/dryers/microwaves for visually impaired residents in student dorm housing and picture signage for visually impaired residents

  • Lots of natural light, large windows for visually impaired students

  • Curb cuts to accommodate wheelchair access

  • Loading zone to accommodate handi-transit drop offs/pick ups

  • Automatic door openers on south and east exterior doors

  • All other apartment and dorm units are fully visitable

  • Elevator access to all floors with talking elevator for visually impaired students

ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES

  • The McFeetors Hall housing complex is a LEED Silver building offering a range of leading-edge environmental technologies to foster sustainability and energy efficiency, including:
  • Geothermal heating/cooling system and superior insulation in roof and walls
  • South facing glazing to maximize solar gains and maximization of natural daylight
  • Other sustainable elements include: Dual flush toilets, operable windows, water conserving fixtures, power-smart electrical fixtures and appliances and energyStar laundry facilities

FEATURES

  • 82,000 square feet

  • Townhouses offer one, two and three bedroom apartments with kitchens, living and dining areas to accommodate students with families, a unique concept among universities in Canada
  • 19 of the 25 townhouses have rent ceilings. Approximately half are occupied by students, and half by the general community. The Manitoba government is providing further rent subsidies to eligible low-income households
  • 6 townhouse are available to both students and the community at full market rents
  • 172 dorm-style beds accommodate students in single and double bedroom suites
  • A floor is devoted to English Language Program Homestay students which is staffed by multilingual Resident Assistants, and caters to the specific language and support needs of ELP students
  • A visiting scholars program includes students in residence from the University of Manitoba and Red River College's downtown campuses 

  • Meal plans for students-in-residence are provided by Diversity Food Services, devoted to nutritious, fairly-priced and ethnically diverse food options that focus, wherever possible, on locally sourced, organic ingredients, with a commitment to fair-trade practices 

  • Two lounge areas offer 29 foot high-windows with spectacular urban views and wireless internet 

  • Air-conditioned rooms, 24 hour security
  • Next to McFeetors Hall the new University of Winnipeg Students' Association (UWSA) child care centre will accommodate approximately 120 children from both the University community and surrounding neighbourhood and will include enclosed play area and green space 

  • Find out more about UWinnipeg's Housing Program here.