Celebrating our achievements: 2025 reflections from John Metras

Hi all,

As we close out 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been an extraordinary year—one filled with growth, challenges, and remarkable achievements. Your dedication and professionalism have strengthened UBC in countless ways, and I am deeply grateful for everything you do. 

This year, we made significant strides in enhancing service delivery, sustainability, and accessibility for our campus community. I am especially encouraged to see our Facilities Roadmap moving into action, and how our work across Facilities has shaped the university for years to come. Here are some key highlights from each of our departments: 

Asset Replacement & Improvements

The Construction Office rose to the challenge this year—taking on all architectural zone work, completing over 5,000 work orders, and keeping turnaround times under two weeks despite staffing hurdles. The team’s responsiveness and customer focus made a real difference. The Technical Review Team also shone, refining technical guidelines, reviewing drawings, and ensuring smooth handovers for major projects like Gordon B Shrum Building (formerly SBME), Recreation Centre North, Beaty Biodiversity Centre Addition, Gateway Building, and Jack Bell. This work ensures quality and smoother transitions from construction to operations.

Building Operations 

Building Operations seamlessly transitioned new building assets into operation and improved asset management by tagging equipment before occupancy. The team also coordinated the replacement of aging building systems and assets. These efforts reduce downtime, improve reliability, and allow smarter resource allocation — supporting operational excellence.

Capital Planning & Development 

CP&D secured Board approval for the Five-Year Capital Plan (2026–31), covering priority buildings, student housing, carbon-neutral initiatives, and IT. Major projects launched include the Anthropology & Sociology (ANSO) Renewal and the Academic District Energy System Electric Boiler & Thermal Energy Storage, advancing UBC’s clean energy goals. The team is also developing the draft UBC Accessible Building Guidelines, positioning UBC as a leader in accessibility best practices. 

Custodial Services 

Custodial Services grew by 6% to support new spaces. This involved a significant onboarding and training effort. The team also delivered outstanding floor care, including refinishing the AMS Nest main floor in-house with a new method that has delivered excellent results.  

Customer Services & Informatics

 Customer Services & Informatics led focus groups, implemented a customer experience survey, and established quarterly customer meetings to gather input from our customers. The team launched a Service Request Dashboard for real-time visibility and developed a 15-KPI performance report to strengthen accountability. They also created on-line customer experience training for staff, and developed a process owner responsibility framework—all aimed at improving service quality. 

Energy & Water Services 

Energy & Water Services successfully completed the switchgear replacement in the Main Campus Substation after years of challenges—a major milestone for campus infrastructure reliability. The EWS team also worked with IT to implement new utility billing software to improve accuracy and service for our customers. 

Facilities Planning 

In addition to the on-going work of helping Faculties plan their space needs, Facilities Planning played a key role in advancing accessibility and sustainability. This year, the team brought the Accessibility Workshop to campus, fostering dialogue and best practices for inclusive design. They also celebrated a major milestone for the Furniture Reuse-It Program, which reached $1 million in value through furniture reuse—a testament to our commitment to sustainability and resource stewardship. 

Municipal Services 

Municipal Services updated scaffolding and fleet policies, introduced new landscape zones, and secured approval for upgrades to the South Campus works yard to enable shared services and partnerships. The team also expanded the waste management fleet, delivered specialized training, advanced trades development through apprenticeships, and initiated a new Asset Management program in collaboration with Building Operations and Energy & Water Services. 

Project Services 

Project Services  managed over 250 projects across 51 buildings, including major completions such as the Laboratory of Archaeology conservation lab at Iona, the Sustainable Timber Built Environment Lab at Forestry, the Applied Science Digital Design Studio addition, and the Jack Bell Renew project. These new and renewed facilities will have a huge positive impact on learning and research for many years to come.  

Recognition Highlights 

• Nazreen Cameron – President’s Service Award for Excellence 
• Sean Lynch – ISSA Emerging Leader Award 
• Denise Pearce – PCAPPA Unsung Hero Award 
• ASHRAE Award for Pharmaceutical Sciences Centre Demand Control Ventilation project 
• SAB Magazine Award for Smart Hydrogen Energy District project 
• Society of Façade Engineering Award for Museum of Anthropology Great Hall Seismic Upgrade 

Acknowledging Challenges and Our Resilience 

While we celebrate these successes, we also recognize the tragedies that touched the world this year. We are grateful that none of our staff were harmed during the Lapu-Lapu Festival tragedy. Our hearts go out to those whose lives were forever changed and we recognize the deep impact on many members of our team who are part of the Filipino community. We also feel deeply for the victims of recent events of violence, fire, severe weather and flooding around the globe and here at home. These events remind us to cherish the community that we have at UBC and in the Facilities team.  Through difficult moments and challenges, we have shown resilience and compassion—working as a caring community that supports one another. This spirit of unity is what makes our team exceptional.

Thanking our VPFO Partners

We are grateful to our partners in Safety & Risk Services, Finance, Treasury, Communications, Human Resources and Enterprise Risk & Assurance for all their work to help support Facilities.

Looking Ahead 

As we move into 2026, let’s carry forward the lessons of this year: collaboration, adaptability, and care for each other. I hope you take time this season to rest, recharge, and enjoy moments with family and friends. 

Thank you again for everything you do. Happy holidays, and all the best for the year ahead. 

John Metras

 Associate Vice-President, UBC Facilities