Construction Schedule

Information will be updated as received

Will include:

Pre-demolition information, demolition information, traffic changes, noise, site safety etc.

Phase II: 2024 decommission

Updated: Apr. 12, 2025

As part of the ongoing decommissioning work in Varsity Courts, we want to inform you of a planned road closure and temporary water shutdown that will affect your area on Tuesday, April 15.

Road Closure
Date: Tuesday, April 15 to May 5
Location: 39th Street access road to Varsity Courts

This access road will be closed. All Varsity Courts vehicles must use the designated red detour route. Please remove all vehicles from the highlighted parking zone (see map) by Sunday, April 13, at 5 p.m. Vehicles remaining after this time will be towed at the owner’s expense starting April 14.

Water Shutdown
Date: Tuesday, April 15
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Affected Units: 1000 – 1007

Reason: The water service will be shutdown to plug the existing waterline just past the hydrant and service at 1000-1007.

During this period, the water supply will be turned off completely to facilitate the needed work. We encourage you to plan accordingly and make any necessary arrangements to accommodate this temporary disruption.

We understand that this shutdown may cause inconvenience, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to complete these necessary construction activities. 

For responses to questions and concerns about safety and construction in the University District 24 hours a day, please call the Construction Hotline at 1-855-400-5556. 

If you have any questions regarding residence, please do not hesitate to email Residence Services at campusservicecentre@ucalgary.ca 

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. 

Residence Services 

Updated: Oct. 23

Full decommissioning of Varsity Courts (Phase II)—partial 600 and 1000 courts and the remaining 900 and 1100 courts has begun.

The internal decommissioning of vacant units has been successfully completed, including the safe and thorough removal of asbestos, and all required permits are in place. As a reminder, this is an active construction zone. Heavy equipment and construction workers are on-site to complete the external decommissioning of the units.

We want to remind you and your family members to keep a safe distance from the area. Let’s keep our community safe by ensuring no playing, walking or sight-seeing takes place in these areas.

Phase II decommissioning is expected to run until the end of Fall 2024 and is planned during permitted City of Calgary construction hours (7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays and holidays). Construction activity is expected to run between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on most days. 

What can you expect during decommissioning?

  • Temporary road for the main entrance to Varsity Courts on 39th St is built and open.
  • The school bus stop is now accessible at 39th 
  • Decommissioning areas have been securely fenced off. Ensure you and your family members keep a safe distance from construction zones 
  • Residence Services will work with Security Services to ensure that vacant areas remain monitored.
  • An increase in construction traffic, noise, and dust is expected. 
  • Dust control measures will be in place as required.
  • Flaggers will direct traffic as required to ensure both pedestrian and driver safety.
  • All required internal street closures or sidewalk closures will be clearly indicated.

More information concerning the decommissioning schedule and its impact on traffic or access to Varsity Courts and adjacent areas of the University will be posted near affected units of Varsity Courts, and online.

For responses to questions and concerns about safety and construction in University District 24 hours a day, please call the Construction Hotline at 1-855-400-5556.

All construction activities depend on various factors, including weather and contractor resources. Timelines and details are subject to change.

Update: Aug. 13

There will be a temporary power shutdown to all Varsity Court on Thursday, Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

UCalgary and Primary Engineering will be disconnecting high-voltage feeds to some transformers. This work is necessary and needs to be completed to proceed with decommissioning set to begin in approximately August. 20.

During this period, power will be turned off completely to facilitate the needed work.

We encourage you to plan accordingly and make any necessary arrangements to accommodate this temporary disruption. Avoid opening and closing your fridge or freezer so appliances remain cool during the shutdown.

We understand that this shutdown may cause inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to complete these necessary maintenance activities. 

For responses to questions and concerns about safety and construction in the University District 24 hours a day, please call the Construction Hotline at 1-855-400-5556.

If you have any questions regarding residence, please do not hesitate to email Residence Services at campusservicecentre@ucalgary.ca.

Update: Aug. 2, 2024

There will be a temporary water shutdown in some Varsity Court units on Thursday, Aug. 8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Temporary water lines are being installed in preparation for Phase II VC decommission.

Units that will be affected (see blue hatched area on attached map of VC):

  • Units 800-804 & 811-818 in the 800 courts
  • Units 1000-1007 in the 1000 courts
  • All of 700 court
  • Units 600 to 617 and 608 to 614 in 600 court
  • Units 509 to 514 and the 524 Lounge in 500 Court

You will have noticed that walkway along unit 619, 620 and 621 is closed for this work. The work is necessary to continue with Phase II decommission. Once work is completed, the lines will be flushed, water samples will be taken, and the valve will be turned back on. The sidewalk will reopen by the end of Aug. 20.

During this period, the water supply will be turned off completely in order to facilitate the needed work.

We encourage you to plan accordingly and make any necessary arrangements to accommodate this temporary disruption. We understand that this shut down may cause inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to complete these necessary maintenance activities. 

For responses to questions and concerns about safety and construction in University District 24 hours a day, please call the Construction Hotline at 1-855-400-5556.

If you have any question regarding residence, please do not hesitate to email Residence Services at campusservicecentre@ucalgary.ca

Update: Aug. 2, 2024

Sequential decommissioning (phase II) of Varsity Courts—partial 600 and 1000 courts and remaining 900 and 1100 courts will begin approximately Aug. 20, 2024.

Internal decommissioning of vacant units is set to begin over the next few weeks. You may have noticed activity taking place with workers entering and exiting the units. Units will be emptied of all materials, and select equipment will be removed for reuse, resale, or recycling.

At this stage, it may not look like an active construction zone, so we would like to remind you and your family members to keep a safe distance from the area. Let’s keep our community safe by ensuring no playing, walking or sight-seeing takes place in these areas.

You will have seen construction hoarding and activity taking place. Phase II decommissioning is expected to run until Fall 2024 and is planned during permitted City of Calgary construction hours (7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday and holidays). Construction activity is expected to run between 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. on most days. 

What can you expect during decommissioning?

  • Road closures in early October 2024 at 39th Street to Jackson Place, view map of closure. 
  • Main entrance to Varsity Courts on 39th St will be closed early October 2024. Detours will be in place for a temporary vehicle access point on University Avenue and Warren Street to Jackson Place. Main entrance on 39th Street will reopen approximately in mid-November 2024.
  • In early October, school bus stop will be relocated to 39th
  • Decommissioning areas have been securely fenced off. Ensure you and your family members keep a safe distance from construction zones.
  • Residence Services will work with Security Services to ensure that vacant areas are still being monitored.
  • Increase in construction traffic, noise, and dust is expected. 
  • Dust control measures will be in place as required.
  • Flaggers will direct traffic as required to ensure both pedestrian and driver safety.
  • All required internal street closures or sidewalk closures will be clearly indicated.

More information concerning the decommissioning schedule and its impact on traffic or access to Varsity Courts and adjacent areas of the University will be posted near affected units of Varsity Courts, and online.

For responses to questions and concerns about safety and construction in University District 24 hours a day, please call the Construction Hotline at 1-855-400-5556.

All construction activities are dependent on various factors including weather and contractor resources. Timelines and details are subject to change.

Click here for more information, including maps of Varsity Courts and University District.

Update: June 20, 2024

Internal decommissioning of Varsity Courts partial 600 and 1000 courts and remaining 900 and 1100 courts (Phase II) will take place mid-June 2024. This process will include asbestos abatement.

The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff is paramount to the university. As Health Canada states, “if the asbestos fibers are enclosed or tightly bound in a compound, there is no significant health risk.” These materials are tightly bound in the Varsity Courts units and therefore, the units are safe for occupancy.

The health risk is considered minimal for asbestos-containing materials (ACM) that are in good condition and/or in an inaccessible location and/or protected from damage. As asbestos must be inhaled to cause disease, which means that intact and undisturbed ACM present no direct health hazard.

It is important to note that the ACM is not the drywall, but the mudding that is used to seal joints between drywall panels to make the surface smooth for painting. The exposure is considered low if the material remains undisturbed. The cement board is located outdoors in garbage bin areas. Potential exposure to asbestos fibres released from this product is also considered to be low.

A qualified asbestos abatement contractor has been hired to safely remove the identified asbestos-containing materials (ACM), prior to decommissioning the units, in accordance with standards outlined by Provincial Occupational Health and Safety, the Alberta Asbestos Abatement Manual and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Work will be taking place this month. You may see safeguarding placed over and around units, workers using special tools and wearing special clothing and equipment. These precautions are in place to keep everyone safe during abatement. You will see notifications and/or caution tape to advise anyone of the work being conducted and to prevent anyone from entering an area where asbestos removal is being conducted. For your safety and the safety of others, please respect these signs. 

For more information, please visit our Varsity Courts FAQ’s site or contact the University District 24-hour Construction Hotline at 1-855-400-5556 for questions or concerns about safety and construction in University District.

Phase I Schedule

Phase I decommissioning (June 1, 2022): COMPLETE

Phase II

Phase II decommissioning (June 1, 2024)

COMPLETE

Phase III

Phase III decommissioning (July 31, 2026)

  • To include all remaining courts (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 1000).