[Chad]

The 3rd floor balcony of MUSC is quite under-utilized at the moment... what would YOU do with the space? The MSU would like to turn it into a cool green hangout space.

"The McMaster Students Union (MSU) Green Roof Initiative aims to transform the McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC) third floor balcony into an aesthetically pleasing green space, accessible to all members of the McMaster community."

What do you think? Reply with your comments to this thread, and also be sure to fill out the MSU Survey at the link below so you can tell the MSU your feedback on the initiative:

http://tinyurl.com/7bd499c#.UAb1w1KIvp8. email

[apples12]

How much would this project cost?

[L'Étoile]

dont care. outta here in a year!

[Melanieee]

The director of the student centre books that space for events and makes money off of it. Its a pain the butt to bring tables and chairs out there, but some event planners like having their lunches out there with their groups.

So youd have to justify taking away that revenue (though I doubt it would be much).

And it would be up to the student centre custodial staff to clean up any dirt tracked inside.

I think it already has drainage, but the tiles the cover the surface are warped and uneven, it would take some redo-ing.

[Snowman]

From the looks of the surveys they want it to be done by volunteers, so it will cost a bunch for the dirt but I hope nothing too excessive

[RyanC]

Originally Posted by Melanieee

The director of the student centre books that space for events and makes money off of it. Its a pain the butt to bring tables and chairs out there, but some event planners like having their lunches out there with their groups.

So youd have to justify taking away that revenue (though I doubt it would be much).

And it would be up to the student centre custodial staff to clean up any dirt tracked inside.

I think it already has drainage, but the tiles the cover the surface are warped and uneven, it would take some redo-ing.

Its an aweful, ugly little space; I would think that renovating it would bring more revenue than the tiny cash stream from the odd group that wants that area in particular. What would be better, to have an unsheltered, dirty roof littered with cigarette butts, or a new, pretty, more sheltered (or entirely) area with a mor relaxing climate?

Part of the survey asks about if people are interested in helping with the planting/weeding/de-tile-ing, so yes, it seems to be an entire renovation.

[goodnews.inc]

I just don't want any new initiative to turn into an Occupy MUSC.

[~*Sara*~]

I definitely agree with Ryan. I've only ever heard of the balcony this year, but it would be great hangout spot if it were renovated, and even rented out to campus or external groups. We really need more places like that on campus. The only other somewhat similar space is Bridges and the Phoenix patio on 2 opposite sides of campus. So it would be great having a place like that at the centre of campus.

[igmelin]

I don't know about you guys but I think we sure could use another Optometrist's office up there!

[anon491]

I think they should try to get professional designers from HGTV to redo it. they could handle all the tiling and whatnot as well. I'd rather have pros do it than have students do a shoddy job.

My main concerns are
1. the vegetable garden that they are proposing: they're proposing to use the fresh vegetables in the mac kitchens, let students pick them for their own use, or donate them? The first two options seem unfair? ie. that the vegetables students volunteer to tend to would be used for the commercial benefit of the school, or that some students would monopolize whatever's being grown by picking a lot of it. And I can't really imagine that a small vegetable garden would grow enough for those things or to be donated anyway... unless it takes up a fair amount of space, which will just take away from the room designated to student relax space.

2. smokers: I would never, EVER, go there if it wasn't a smoke-free zone. No one wants to have a relaxing space ruined by second hand smoke. It should be free for everyone to enjoy without having to suffer because of someone's decision to kill themselves slowly with cigarettes.

[RyanC]

Originally Posted by ooburii

And I can't really imagine that a small vegetable garden would grow enough for those things or to be donated anyway... unless it takes up a fair amount of space, which will just take away from the room designated to student relax space.

Things like that are usually 'green roofs', meaning the growing wouldn't take place in the actual room, but above it to offset heat gain/loss that normally happens with air conditioning or heating sytems.

[anon491]

Originally Posted by RyanC

Things like that are usually 'green roofs', meaning the growing wouldn't take place in the actual room, but above it to offset heat gain/loss that normally happens with air conditioning or heating sytems.

Ohh. That would be totally fine then.

[macdonsd]

Originally Posted by Melanieee

The director of the student centre books that space for events and makes money off of it. Its a pain the butt to bring tables and chairs out there, but some event planners like having their lunches out there with their groups.

So youd have to justify taking away that revenue (though I doubt it would be much).

And it would be up to the student centre custodial staff to clean up any dirt tracked inside.

I think it already has drainage, but the tiles the cover the surface are warped and uneven, it would take some redo-ing.

The administrative director (Lori Diamond) is actually in on the Green Roof project! I do not think the green roof will take away from revenues. If anything it would increase them. I'm sure groups would much rather book their events on a green roof rather than the current roof.

Also, dirt wouldn't be tracked inside the building. The actual surface that people walk on is not covered in dirt or grass. I believe it is still going to be covered in tile or stone. The green part of the roof is going to be located along the perimeter.

[macdonsd]

Originally Posted by ooburii

I think they should try to get professional designers from HGTV to redo it. they could handle all the tiling and whatnot as well. I'd rather have pros do it than have students do a shoddy job.

My main concerns are
1. the vegetable garden that they are proposing: they're proposing to use the fresh vegetables in the mac kitchens, let students pick them for their own use, or donate them? The first two options seem unfair? ie. that the vegetables students volunteer to tend to would be used for the commercial benefit of the school, or that some students would monopolize whatever's being grown by picking a lot of it. And I can't really imagine that a small vegetable garden would grow enough for those things or to be donated anyway... unless it takes up a fair amount of space, which will just take away from the room designated to student relax space.

2. smokers: I would never, EVER, go there if it wasn't a smoke-free zone. No one wants to have a relaxing space ruined by second hand smoke. It should be free for everyone to enjoy without having to suffer because of someone's decision to kill themselves slowly with cigarettes.

The project is being done by professionals. Volunteers will only be doing tasks such as hauling out old stone, hauling in soil, planting, etc. Anything important is being done by the pros.

I understand your concerns with the vegetable garden. Personally, I hope the fresh vegetables are sold at the Mac Farmstand.

The only reason the smoking question was asked in the survey was to show that everyone wants the space to be a smoke-free zone. They knew before hand that everyone wants it to be smoke-free, they just wanted some actual results showing this.

Hope that clears a few things up

[macdonsd]

Here is a document that might be interesting for people to read!