Challenging times for space

From mid-2020 to mid-2021, when academic units were still operating remotely, Facilities Management members were easy to spot on the campuses. They were maintaining and adapting Concordia’s numerous and diverse spaces to the pandemic reality. That involved everything from reimagining spaces for socially distanced activities to new cleaning protocols and frequencies — including earning a Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR accreditation for the EV Building.

“That process was a rigorous one and came at a time when custodial teams were already incredibly busy with the demands of COVID-related cleaning,” says Marie-Claude Lavoie, associate vice-president of Facilities Management.

To further protect community members and allow more of them to return to safe work and research spaces, Facilities Management undertook hundreds of evaluations with colleagues in Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).

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