University--CLS Lab Timeline

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University Heights Community Association
Calgary, Alberta
University Heights is a residential community, situated between Foothills Hospital and the University of Calgary, bounded by University Drive (and McMahon Stadium) on the east, and Shaganappi Drive to the west, in central Calgary.

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TRYING TO NAIL JELL-O TO A WALL
ON JUNE 23, 2000, THE CRHA WITHDREW FROM THE PROJECT AND
ALL PLANS TO PUT CLS ON THE GRASSLANDS CEASED.

A timeline of the University - CLS lab disclosures

**Background: The Land and the Neighbourhood**
1965: The Province of Alberta established University of Calgary and gifted it with the main campus plus 184 acres of "Education Reserve Land" or "University Endowment Lands" in anticipation of future growth, after a very expensive experience in buying back developed land in Edmonton for the University of Alberta's expansion. At roughly the same time, construction started on the adjacent University Heights subdivision, large homes restricted by City by-law to single-family occupancy.
In February 1995, the Alberta government announced that 84 acres of the Education Reserve Lands would be deeded outright to the University of Calgary, and the remaining 100 acres would be sold, in order to help pay down the deficit. University Heights Community Association spearheaded a protest that was quickly joined by residents of Varsity, Parkdale, Montgomery, and St Andrews – all insisting that the entire site be maintained for its original purpose, of providing space for the University’s educational expansion. Six weeks after its first announcement, the province retracted its plan.
On March 28, 1995, the province transferred the entire site to the University, with a covenant that the land would be used only for University purposes. (See Land Transfer agreement.) Willy-nilly, UHCA took stewardship of the Education Reserve Lands. Most residents still feel a responsibility to ensure that the land is used for University purposes only.

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Background: Calgary Laboratory Services
In 1996, Alberta re-organized health care and privatized some services, including diagnostic laboratory services in Calgary. The new Calgary Regional Health Authority (CRHA) joined forces with MDS Inc and Kasper Medical Services to create Calgary Laboratory Services. Diagnostic procedures, previously done in hospital laboratories, were moved out into community laboratories, which soon complained they needed more space. Here is the CLS' own version of its history, posted by the University. And here is a significantly different perspective.

In September 1999, Calgary Regional Health Authority issued a press release saying that a new Calgary Laboratory Services central lab would be located in Parkdale, on the former Motor Vehicles Administration site. See press release

As of February 2000, CLS still said it was looking at three non-specified locations for its new central lab. See the Feb 16 press release

**Background: Calgary Laboratory Services**
In 1996, Alberta re-organized health care and privatized some services, including diagnostic laboratory services in Calgary. The new Calgary Regional Health Authority (CRHA) joined forces with MDS Inc and Kasper Medical Services to create Calgary Laboratory Services. Diagnostic procedures, previously done in hospital laboratories, were moved out into community laboratories, which soon complained they needed more space. Here is the CLS' own version of its history, posted by the University. And here is a significantly different perspective.
In September 1999, Calgary Regional Health Authority issued a press release saying that a new Calgary Laboratory Services central lab would be located in Parkdale, on the former Motor Vehicles Administration site. See press release
As of February 2000, CLS still said it was looking at three non-specified locations for its new central lab. See the Feb 16 press release

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Background: Friendly University-UHCA relations
On November 24, 1999, Barry Kowalsky, Director of Campus Planning for the University of Calgary, attended a UHCA Board of Directors meeting and described the University’s plans for campus development. These included expanding the medical faculty on the Foothills site; expansion of communication and information services programs in a 150,000 sq ft facility near the engineering building; and proposed expansion of the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation centre. In response to UHCA concerns about traffic and parking, and about preserving the endowment lands, he suggested the formation of a Community Advisory Board to monitor plans and pass along concerns. Craig McDougall was already serving as UHCA rep in Community Advisory meetings and agreed to continue with this role. UHCA Board minutes show that, “Barry assured us that UHCA would receive copies of any plans or development permits and he stressed his intention to keep UHCA up to date and consult with us and other interested groups regarding traffic issues etc.”

In early December 1999, UHCA received word that the the Community Lottery Board had approved the University's application for funds to construct an international sized grass soccer pitch -- an application for which UHCA wrote a letter of support. "We know that this support impressed the Community Lottery Board," Calgary Dinosaurs Soccer Club president Gordon Franson wrote to UHCA, in a letter dated December 8, 1999. In February, UHCA wrote to Barry Kowalksi to request a copy of the soccer field site plans and remind him that UHCA expected to use the fields for community-sponsored events.

**Background: Friendly University-UHCA relations**
On November 24, 1999, Barry Kowalsky, Director of Campus Planning for the University of Calgary, attended a UHCA Board of Directors meeting and described the University’s plans for campus development. These included expanding the medical faculty on the Foothills site; expansion of communication and information services programs in a 150,000 sq ft facility near the engineering building; and proposed expansion of the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation centre. In response to UHCA concerns about traffic and parking, and about preserving the endowment lands, he suggested the formation of a Community Advisory Board to monitor plans and pass along concerns. Craig McDougall was already serving as UHCA rep in Community Advisory meetings and agreed to continue with this role. UHCA Board minutes show that, “Barry assured us that UHCA would receive copies of any plans or development permits and he stressed his intention to keep UHCA up to date and consult with us and other interested groups regarding traffic issues etc.”
In early December 1999, UHCA received word that the the Community Lottery Board had approved the University's application for funds to construct an international sized grass soccer pitch -- an application for which UHCA wrote a letter of support. "We know that this support impressed the Community Lottery Board," Calgary Dinosaurs Soccer Club president Gordon Franson wrote to UHCA, in a letter dated December 8, 1999. In February, UHCA wrote to Barry Kowalksi to request a copy of the soccer field site plans and remind him that UHCA expected to use the fields for community-sponsored events.

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The first announcement?
On April 11, 2000, the University of Calgary issued a Backgrounder document announcing it was considering a “Research Transition Facility” with Calgary Laboratory Services as an “anchor tenant”. The Backgrounder mentioned in passing that this new facility would be built “on approximately 8 acres on the southeast intersection of 32nd Ave NW and Shaganappi Trail.” That location would put it on the Education Reserve Lands, although the Backgrounder didn’t exactly say that. (Read the Backgrounder document and try to deduce the location or purpose of the proposed building.)

A media release, also dated April 11, states that, “The university will be hosting a series of community discussion sessions during the coming weeks to allow members of the campus and surrounding communities to learn more about the proposal, ask questions, and give their feedback.” And the University’s spokesperson is quoted as assuring the public that, "The local community associations have a very important role to play in this proposal and we look forward to working closely with them during the coming weeks." In fact, the University's first public meetings on this issue were held the end of May, after UHCA held its own meetings.

On April 17, the Backgrounder appeared, practically word-for-word, as an article in the University Gazette.
The University is free to use its own written material in its own publications at any time, of course. What is remarkable about this particular document is how little information it actually conveys. Compare the CLS description of its needs with the University’s description of the proposed RTF. Confusing? Now, recall the Land Transfer Agreement convenant, which stipulates that the land can only be used for University purposes, "including but not limited to playing fields, residences, academic and research buildings". What's wrong with this picture?

**The first announcement?**
On April 11, 2000, the University of Calgary issued a Backgrounder document announcing it was considering a “Research Transition Facility” with Calgary Laboratory Services as an “anchor tenant”. The Backgrounder mentioned in passing that this new facility would be built “on approximately 8 acres on the southeast intersection of 32nd Ave NW and Shaganappi Trail.” That location would put it on the Education Reserve Lands, although the Backgrounder didn’t exactly say that. (Read the Backgrounder document and try to deduce the location or purpose of the proposed building.)
A media release, also dated April 11, states that, “The university will be hosting a series of community discussion sessions during the coming weeks to allow members of the campus and surrounding communities to learn more about the proposal, ask questions, and give their feedback.” And the University’s spokesperson is quoted as assuring the public that, "The local community associations have a very important role to play in this proposal and we look forward to working closely with them during the coming weeks." In fact, the University's first public meetings on this issue were held the end of May, after UHCA held its own meetings.
On April 17, the Backgrounder appeared, practically word-for-word, as an article in the University Gazette. The University is free to use its own written material in its own publications at any time, of course. What is remarkable about this particular document is how little information it actually conveys. Compare the CLS description of its needs with the University’s description of the proposed RTF. Confusing? Now, recall the Land Transfer Agreement convenant, which stipulates that the land can only be used for University purposes, "including but not limited to playing fields, residences, academic and research buildings". What's wrong with this picture?

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Surprise! The UHCA Annual Meeting
At the April 19 UHCA Annual General Meeting, UHCA Development Officer Craig McDougall told 85 local residents that the proposed "RTF" project would be the Calgary Laboratory Services central or “core” processing laboratory for all patient specimens collected in Calgary and area hospitals, and at 24 CLS specimen-collection sites around the city. On the whole, the meeting reacted angrily to the announcement of the proposed facility, which was the first time that most people in attendance (even those who work or study at the University) had heard about it.

The Annual Meeting gave the Board a mandate to organize community response to the proposed project. Although a few UH residents supported the idea of a CLS lab on that site, most who voiced their opinions at the AGM expressed opposition. Among people's objections were:

CLS is a commercial facility, and the Education Reserve Land is intended for U of C academic expansion;

the U of C is still in the process of drawing up its own campus plan, which won't be ready for 12 to 18 months;

couriers carrying biological specimens would be driving through UH twenty-four hours a day, from Foothills Hospital to the new CLS lab;

if the U of C lets CLS build a core lab on the grasslands, then the Children's Hospital will almost inevitably follow, and UH will be swallowed up in a giant medical complex;

new roads will be required, probably including a road up the hill from Shaganappi Trail, connecting to Collegiate Drive, and from there to 24th Ave;

the CRHA has no plan; it sold or destroyed usable hospital structures without a plan, and now it wants to build new facilities without a plan.

**Surprise! The UHCA Annual Meeting**
At the April 19 UHCA Annual General Meeting, UHCA Development Officer Craig McDougall told 85 local residents that the proposed "RTF" project would be the Calgary Laboratory Services central or “core” processing laboratory for all patient specimens collected in Calgary and area hospitals, and at 24 CLS specimen-collection sites around the city. On the whole, the meeting reacted angrily to the announcement of the proposed facility, which was the first time that most people in attendance (even those who work or study at the University) had heard about it.
The Annual Meeting gave the Board a mandate to organize community response to the proposed project. Although a few UH residents supported the idea of a CLS lab on that site, most who voiced their opinions at the AGM expressed opposition. Among people's objections were: CLS is a commercial facility, and the Education Reserve Land is intended for U of C academic expansion; the U of C is still in the process of drawing up its own campus plan, which won't be ready for 12 to 18 months; couriers carrying biological specimens would be driving through UH twenty-four hours a day, from Foothills Hospital to the new CLS lab; if the U of C lets CLS build a core lab on the grasslands, then the Children's Hospital will almost inevitably follow, and UH will be swallowed up in a giant medical complex; new roads will be required, probably including a road up the hill from Shaganappi Trail, connecting to Collegiate Drive, and from there to 24th Ave; the CRHA has no plan; it sold or destroyed usable hospital structures without a plan, and now it wants to build new facilities without a plan.

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UHCA and Community reaction
On May 5, 6, and 7, UHCA blanketed the UH community with a newsletter that described the information provided to the annual meeting, and the AGM’s response to the news. The newsletter included the University’s backgrounder, the map of the proposed site provided by the University (see Appendix A of term sheet), and a form letter which UH residents who opposed the proposed project could use to notify the University and elected officials of their objections.

On May 24, UHCA held a Town Hall meeting at University Elementary School. As reported elsewhere on this website, more than 200 people attended, and peppered the panelists with questions. Audience members arrived with their own perspectives and questions, responded to presentations from the panelists, and raised questions based upon background sheets prepared by UHCA. University staff handed out some information and invitations to its own Open Houses the following week.

The following week, CBC radio's EyeOpener program featured reports and "Talkback" response for several days. Other news media covered the issue. Dozens of UH residents reported that they had mailed letters to MLA Murray Smith or to the University Board of Governors, as the newsletter requested. A few reported that they had received responses.

**UHCA and Community reaction**
On May 5, 6, and 7, UHCA blanketed the UH community with a newsletter that described the information provided to the annual meeting, and the AGM’s response to the news. The newsletter included the University’s backgrounder, the map of the proposed site provided by the University (see Appendix A of term sheet), and a form letter which UH residents who opposed the proposed project could use to notify the University and elected officials of their objections.
On May 24, UHCA held a Town Hall meeting at University Elementary School. As reported elsewhere on this website, more than 200 people attended, and peppered the panelists with questions. Audience members arrived with their own perspectives and questions, responded to presentations from the panelists, and raised questions based upon background sheets prepared by UHCA. University staff handed out some information and invitations to its own Open Houses the following week.
The following week, CBC radio's EyeOpener program featured reports and "Talkback" response for several days. Other news media covered the issue. Dozens of UH residents reported that they had mailed letters to MLA Murray Smith or to the University Board of Governors, as the newsletter requested. A few reported that they had received responses.

The University responds

On May 26, the University held an Open House on campus community planning, on campus, to inform University staff, faculty and students about the CLS lab and sketch out other campus plans.

On May 29, and May 30, the University held Open Houses at Varsity Community Centre and at University Elementary School. These presentations differed somewhat from the written materials that had been available previously. Also, the University announced a special Web page about the proposed facility.

The following week, the University uploaded new information to the new Web page, such as a copy of the "term sheet" between the University and the CRHA, and the long-promised traffic study. Also, there is a new site plan.

UHCA position on CLS proposal

SLOW DOWN! With most of the information available only since the end of May, June 23 is too soon for approval.

UHCA supports the use of the Educational Reserve Lands, but only for educational purposes;

UHCA does not object to Calgary Laboratory Services building a central processing lab so long as it is not adjacent to any residential area;

UHCA calls on the University to follow standard planning practices in consulting neighbouring communities before constructing facilities that might adversely affect the quiet enjoyment of our homes and neighbourhood.

What's behind Door # 3?

CRHA has to decide whether and where to build a new Alberta Children’s Hospital. CRHA and CLS dropped plans to build the new lab on the Parkdale location because Colonel Belcher Hospital will move there, and local residents convinced CRHA that was too much density for one location. UHCA residents wonder : If the Lab is approved first, would the ACH be far behind? Either the CRHA should announce the ACH's new location first, or else both projects should be on the table at the same time.

The University still has not posted its policy on "partnerships". This facility was first proposed as 85% commercial content. Many commercial operations would love to build on the Reserve Lands, centrally-located and free from property taxes. As one questioner asked at the UHCA Town Hall, "Do we want to be known as the University of Calgary Educational and Commercial Enterprises, Inc?"

The University's overall campus plan is still in its very early stages. The U of C itself says that a Community Plan "avoids waste and disruption from piecemeal projects" and "establishes realistic schedules and capital budgets."

The province is drafting a new "Biomedical Waste Management Regulation” with implications for all laboratories in Alberta. Is it wise to build a new central lab before those regulations are complete?

Spin City

**How big would the lab be and who would use what space?**
April 11 Backgrounder states that the facility would be 145,000 square feet, with an option to expand by another 30,000 sq ft. The University would use 25,000 square feet.
May 15 Gazette article also states that the University would use 25,000 sq ft of the proposed new 145,000 sq ft lab.
May 29 “Rumours and Facts” sheet presents this as “fact”: “The RTF is currently planned to be 170,000 square feet, of which approximately 50,000 square feet is to house U of C researchers.” This would be more like 30% of the facility for U of C purposes. Where this change fits in with the “term sheet” specifications, or whether it would affect the 30,000 sq ft expansion, is not clear.
May 29 University Open House presentation suggests that fewer than 15% of people in the new lab daily would be U of C personnel: "The facility will be home to approximately 400 CLS staff...An estimated 60 U of C researchers will also use the RTF each day". That works out to 87% CLS staff (400/460 people) and 13% U of C researchers (60/460 people).

CLS: ownership issues

On April 19, CRHA Vice-President Roman Cooney told the UHCA annual meeting that CLS was 49% owned by MDS and 51% owned by CRHA.

On May 29 “Rumours and Facts” says that CLS is owned 49.4% by CRHA and 50.1% by MDSK, a joint venture of Toronto-based MDS Inc and Alberta-based Kasper Medical Laboratories.

On May 24, at the UHCA Town Hall meeting, CRHA Director Cameron Waddell said that CRHA had no plans to sell its portion of CLS. Rosemary Pahl, CLS president, said that for the moment, the partners were concentrating on working together to find a new facility. It's hard to shake the feeling that a shiny new facility with 55 years tenure at a fixed rent and a central location could be the kind of undervalued asset that would attract new corporate interest.

Where's that access road?

April 11 - 19 The U of C supplied a site plan (See the Term Sheet, Schedule A) that showed an access road to the new lab, from Shaganappi Trail. Asked at the May 24 Town Hall meeting whether the City would allow such a road from the Trail, Alderman Dale Hodges indicated it was unlikely.

May 29 - 30 The U of C "Rumours and Facts" document labels the access road a "Rumour" and says that "The current plan does not include an access road from Shaganappi Trail." Yet at the Open House where this document was distributed, Alderman Hodges' sharp eyes spied the road still on the map -- sketched in pencil, not in ink.