As we wrap up 2024, I want to take a moment to reflect on the remarkable work we’ve achieved together and express my heartfelt gratitude for your dedication, creativity, and perseverance. Your contributions have been instrumental in maintaining UBC’s world-class campus and pushing forward initiatives that enhance our operations, sustainability, and service to the community.
This year has been one of exceptional progress, and I’d like to share a few highlights that showcase the incredible impact of your work:
- Building operations and maintenance: On track to complete 50,000 work orders with a 73% reduction in backlog, allowing us to focus on critical projects.
- Preventive maintenance: Achieved 31,000 work orders, with 98% regulatory compliance, and added nearly 500 asset QR codes to improve efficiency.
- Major project handover: Well-planned operational transitions for projects like Brock Commons North and South, School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME), and Food and Beverage Innovation Center (FBIC) have set these facilities up for long-term success.
- Sustainability: Energy conservation projects at the Belkin Art Gallery and the Campus Energy Centre saved significant energy and costs, while the Fleet Decarbonization Study identified the path to reducing vehicle emissions, all advancing UBC’s commitment to sustainability under the Climate Action Plan 2030.
- Museum of Anthropology: Reopened the iconic Great Hall, upgraded to seismic resilience standards to protect its irreplaceable collection in the event of a major earthquake.
- Infrastructure upgrades: Enhanced critical systems, including water mains and storm and sanitary sewers, ensuring campus reliability and resilience.
- Facilities planning: Undertook an office occupancy study using WiFi in selected buildings, with a goal to optimize campus space use.
- Custodial excellence: Maintained 97-98% compliance with service level targets and achieved the Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) Green Building Certification with Honours.
- Safety: Construction Office, Custodial Night Shift and Utilities Workers demonstrated outstanding safety performance with zero time-loss injuries in 2024.
- Customer experience and staff development: Launched the Facilities Customer Service Strategy, Planon enhanced communication application, Municipal operational improvement plan, and leadership programs to support professional growth and enhance collaboration.
Each of these accomplishments reflect the collective effort, expertise, and pride you bring to your work every day. Together, you ensure that our students, faculty and staff have the best possible physical environment to be successful in their work at UBC.
Thank you for everything you do. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a happy, healthy new year!
John Metras
Associate Vice-President, Facilities