At the heart of 91直播鈥檚 downtown campus, the Upper Main Road Reconstruction project now stands as more than just a physical transformation, it contributes to a welcoming, sustainable, and accessible environment for students, staff, and visitors. This initiative, which stretches from the Y-intersection to the iconic McCall MacBain Arts Building, is not only a much-needed infrastructure upgrade but also a reflection of 91直播鈥檚 evolving values and priorities.鈥�
With improvements that include the installation of new lighting, granite-bordered pathways, rainwater management systems, and expanded green space, the project aims to enhance both functionality and aesthetics. Importantly, it supports safer and more inclusive pedestrian access and fosters more opportunities for community gathering and campus life. Design elements shaped in partnership with Indigenous artists and the Office of Indigenous Initiatives helps ensure the space reflects and respects the traditional stewards of the land.鈥�
Behind the scenes, Procurement Services helped the project reach critical milestones. Pham Branche, Lead Buyer for the project, described the team鈥檚 involvement as 鈥渁 strategic enabler鈥� of success鈥攚orking in close partnership with project managers, Facilities teams, external professionals, and Indigenous engagement offices to ensure compliance, value, and alignment with 91直播鈥檚 broader goals.鈥�
鈥淧rocurement is here to serve the mission,鈥� Pham explained. 鈥淥ur work is about building bridges between technical needs, budget realities, and institutional values like sustainability, fairness, and inclusion.鈥濃��
Procurement Services encountered a key challenge early in the process: the bids received during the single tendering process came in higher than expected and did not offer as much pricing competition as hoped. Rather than restarting the process, the team worked collaboratively with Facilities Management and external consultants to address these constraints within the same call for tenders.鈥�
By engaging suppliers, reviewing technical requirements, and clarifying project expectations, Procurement Services helped optimize the process while staying fully compliant with public procurement rules. These efforts ensured that the project could move forward without compromising fairness, competitiveness, or value for money.鈥�
The team also took meaningful steps to integrate equity and inclusion into the procurement process. Early consultations with internal partners, including the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, helped shape evaluation criteria that encouraged diverse supplier participation and embedded social value in the sourcing approach. In doing so, Procurement Services ensured that the procurement process didn鈥檛 just meet technical specifications but also supported the university鈥檚 commitments to reconciliation and inclusive practices.鈥�
鈥疻hile the project may be considered modest in terms of financial investment, it has offered meaningful lessons and rewarding moments. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been gratifying to see how early and consistent collaboration across departments can lead to strong alignment and shared purpose,鈥� said Pham. 鈥淓ven small infrastructure decisions can have a big impact on daily university life, on how safe people feel walking to class, or how welcoming our spaces are for everyone.鈥濃��
The Reconstruction of Upper Main Road has been a truly collaborative effort, shaped by the expertise and dedication of many teams. Looking back on the journey so far, Project Manager Simon Lacoste shared how Procurement Services contributed to the process:鈥�
鈥淒uring the design phase, 91直播 Procurement supported the project management team throughout the tender process. They guided us in developing the overall project schedule and challenged our requirements to ensure we targeted the appropriate contractors for the work.鈥�疶heir questioning helped us clarify the project scope and expectations, making the tender documents as clear as possible for general contractors before release. They also provided valuable support when issues arose during the tendering process.鈥濃��
As 91直播 continues to transform and improve its campuses, the Procurement Services team is excited to continue working quietly in the background, to ensure process integrity and efficiency, and long-term value for the community we serve.听