Floors in Fletcher Argue Building get a resurfacing treatment. Pictured here are caretakers Peter Kielich and Ian Kemball. // Photos by Adam Dolman
Summer caretaking projects spruce up Fort Garry campus
Wiping, waxing, dusting, scrubbing, vacuuming, sweeping and shampooing. Carpet-removal, floor-resurfacing, wall-washing, glass-polishing, pool-cleaning, ice rink re-flooding and repair.
You may have noticed all of these activities and more taking place around campus this summer. That’s because a full deep-clean and repairs summer projects schedule is well underway at the Fort Garry campus.
Repair, maintenance and extensive cleaning
The summer projects schedule includes repair, maintenance and extensive cleaning as needed at the Fort Garry campus. You’ll see caretakers hard at work in facilities from Frank Kennedy to Extended Education, from student residences and college classrooms to ARTlab, Dafoe, Tache and Tier — cleaning and revamping hallways, staircases and tunnels, offices, bathrooms, labs and libraries as necessary.
Spot the difference: Floors after the treatment.
This is the first time in a while that a full summer agenda of upkeep projects has been maintained at the Fort Garry campus, due to staffing challenges over the past several years. Caretaking Services staff is now at its full complement, thanks to a dedicated effort by caretaking management to fill vacancies.
Cleaning and upkeep aren’t always noticed, but where there’s a clean surface or a repaired door, a caretaker is responsible.
In fact, caretakers contribute significantly to make learning, research and recreation possible at University of Manitoba places and spaces. The friendly faces featured in our summer photo gallery are those of two caretakers who worked on floor resurfacing: Peter Kielich, whose service to the university is 27 years, and Ian Kemball, whose service is 6 years. Together, they have been part of our university community for over 33 years.
Floors in Fletcher Argue, Isbister, Tier, Tache Hall, Education, Agriculture, and Animal Science Buildings are getting the resurfacing treatment. The treatment for the terrazzo floors will make them look shiny as new.
Next time you see a caretaker, stop to say hello and thanks for their hard work and service to the university!
Sukhjinder Singh, Manager, Caretaking Services, at the Active Living Centre.
Besides special projects and regular cleaning and upkeep, Caretaking Services also responds to emergencies such as floods or spills, and is responsible for inspection of fire extinguishers, emergency eyewash stations and emergency fire doors.
Fort Garry CARE LINE phone number: 204-474-2273; Bannatyne phone number: 204-789-3636
See more about Caretaking Services: http://umanitoba.ca/campus/physical_plant/caretaking/index.html
What a great story! The University’s caretakers and groundskeepers are the unsung heroes of the institution. They deserve credit, so THANK YOU – to those who make sure our facilities are clean and sound and attractive. Thanks especially to the caretakers at St. Paul’s College.
Great to see an article on how the University has responded to the concerns about cleanliness. I totally agree with Dr. Szathmary that we need to acknowledge more often the fine work that our caretakers do so I welcome other articles of this kind.
Hear! Hear! It’s great to see a story honoring the important work that our caretakers do every day that is so often taken for granted.
It is great to have our caretakers acknowledged for the important work they do.
I have lost count of how many times the Bannatyne caretaking staff have gone that extra mile for our department.
Kudos!
looking good peter,great job teaching. long time no see. you have not aged at all. write to me on facebook. i work nights at misericordia hospital emergency dept night service attendant 2. would love to hear from my old pals
great job peter