SFU opens LEED Gold Dining Commons in Burnaby
The new facility is just one way the school is preparing for growth.
Students at Simon Fraser University now have more dining options. – Simon Fraser University
Key Takeaways:
- The new facility adds 28,000 square feet of sustainable dining space.
- The $25 million facility is designed to up feed the projected 3,250 students who will be living on campus by 2035.
- Dialog was the prime consultant for the project.
The Whole Story:
Order up! Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) new LEED Gold Dining Commons has been served to the public.
The new building, which sits at the Burnaby student residence entry, includes more than 10 new culinary stations.
“At SFU, we are committed to fostering a vibrant and welcoming campus community for our students—and that includes providing good, healthy food,” says SFU president Joy Johnson. “I can’t wait to see the new Dining Commons become a go-to destination for students to connect with each other, have a study session or simply enjoy a delicious meal.”
SFU’s Dining Commons features 28,000 square feet of sustainable dining space, including 500 indoor seats and large skylights that make use of natural light. The building further boasts a large outdoor patio and a mezzanine with a variety of seating configurations, including family-style tables, bistro, and bar seating.
“I want to congratulate Simon Fraser University for creating amazing spaces and services such as this, which will also serve the 386 students soon to be living on campus when the new student housing building opens early next year,” said Anne Kang, minister of advanced education and skills training. “Investing in dining facilities and student housing is a great way we can support students so they can focus on their studies, doing what they came to school to do.”
The Dining Commons will be open 24 hours a day during fall and spring terms and is available to students who live in residences and are on a meal plan, as well as to students, faculty, staff and visitors at posted meal rates. Similar to the existing dining hall, visitors have unlimited access to all food stations for their meals. The SFU community can also experience and learn from guest chefs, cooking demonstrations, theme nights and more.
The school explained that expanded dining space is critical in supporting the growing number of students living at SFU’s Burnaby campus through the university’s five-phase residence and housing masterplan. Phase 2 is currently underway and will provide an additional 350 students with on-campus housing by the end of 2023. Once completed, the master plan will see 3,250 students living on Burnaby campus by 2035.
