Low-Carbon District Energy System (LCDES)
TRU is proud to lead the way in sustainability with the Low-Carbon District Energy System (LCDES). This major infrastructure project will eventually connect campus buildings to an innovative heat pump system — replacing natural gas boilers and significantly reducing TRU’s carbon footprint.
Construction timeline and key impacts
TRU is laying groundwork for its clean-energy system, with pipe installation and retrofits underway.
As part of this work, the following construction activities are underway or scheduled. Please follow onsite signage and allow extra time to navigate areas safely.
Hear from one of our co-op students as they share how the Low-Carbon District Energy System is already shaping their campus experience.
Accessibility – path closure
The accessible path from Lot H to the Student Union Building (SUB) will be closed for six to eight weeks starting approximately Aug. 30. From Lot H, access the Arts and Education (AE) building from the back to navigate to the Campus Commons.
Accessibility will be improved on Sk’lep trail in September in front of House 4 and 5 but please allow more time than usual as there are some unpaved areas.
Civil work and pipeline installation
Aug. 26 – Sept. 6
Lot P: Excavation to start Aug. 25 to Sept. 6 near Future Students (HR Building) to the new home of the Indigenous Centre. Follow signage; be prepared for delays and alternating lanes.
Lot Q / Old Main: Back-filling and asphalt paving (expect equipment noise). Lot Q is now fully open.
Lot C: Concrete curb/sidewalk work. Slight detour through parking lot. Asphalt paving and sidewalk work will take place at northwest corner, by Culinary Arts Training Centre and Old Main. Expect equipment noise. The lot will fully open Sept. 2.
Lot H / Student Union Building (SUB): Fencing and trenching will begin behind the SUB to Lot H.
College Drive/Gym/Lepin Building: Excavation will continue.
Campus Drive/Administrative Services Building: Concrete curb / sidewalk work.
Old Library Administration and Research Annex (OLARA) and Clock Tower: Concrete sidewalk work to Aug. 30.
Arts and Education Building: Pipe laying and welding until Sept. 12 at the front of AE. On the sides of AE expect fencing and civil work until October. Pedestrian control in place.
Campus Commons: Temporary asphalt being laid in Campus Commons until Aug. 31. Campus Commons will be open for all events planned in September.
Old Main: Concrete sidewalk work to Sept. 6.
Hydrovac work
Aug. 26 – Sept. 6
Lot P and future home of the Indigenous Centre: Exploratory hydrovac work will produce noise impacts. Expect intermittent Lot P closures for 8 to 12 weeks.
Old Main: Hydrovac and excavation (expect equipment noise and pedestrian impacts).
Campus Commons / Arts and Education Building (AE): Excavation; path around AE closed (expect equipment noise).
Campus Activity Centre / Student Union Building: Exploratory hydrovac work (expect noise impacts).
North Tower Residence: Exploratory hydrovac work (expect noise impacts).
Parking impacts
Aug. 26 – Sept. 2
Lot Q: Parking has fully reopened.
Lot H: 12 to 15 stalls in Lot H will be marked for construction materials and hydrovac work intermittently between Aug. 26 and Oct. 6.
Lot C: Partial impacts from sidewalk/curb work; detour through parking lot. Lot will fully open Sept. 2. Please be mindful of paving work in this area; follow signage.
Contact tru@concordparking.com if you receive a parking notice in error.
X-ray testing
Aug. 26 – Sept. 2
X-ray testing is scheduled at the following locations and times:
- College Drive (by Gym / Lepin Building): Aug. 26-28, Sept. 2-4
- Campus Commons (by Arts and Education Building): Aug. 26-28, Sept. 2-4
All open trench areas will include X-ray inspection at each pipe weld location to ensure the integrity and safety of the welds. These areas will be properly flagged and secured to ensure the safety of campus pedestrians. No work being conducted on campus poses any harm to the community; all activities are carried out in accordance with strict safety protocols.
In-building pipe retrofits
Old Main
Main floor – Visual Arts wing: ongoing to Oct. 13
- Expect work to begin Aug. 25 in evenings and weekends
- The Visual Arts wing will be closed to all from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- This work includes the removal of pipe and restoration of Visual Arts hallway and workshops
- Faculty and occupants of these classrooms are being consulted
Second floor:
- Hoarding and construction will take place between rooms OM 2612 and OM 2662
- Accessible washroom near OM 2662 is closed for two weeks. Use the washroom down the hall toward OM 2612
These access routes are temporary and may change with little notice. Please follow all signage.
Old Library Administration and Research Annex (OLARA)
- First floor hoarding is complete
- Second floor hoarding has been reduced to two small areas and will remain in place until Sept. 12
- Common areas are available for use
Pedestrian detour
Access to Old Main has changed. Please allow extra time to reach your destination. See the map and follow the green lines for detour details.
Stay informed
Visit this page regularly for updates, closure notifications and progress reports. For inquiries or feedback, email us at zerocarbon@tru.ca.
Thank you for your patience as we enhance our campus. Please note that work and impact dates are subject to change.
TRU's bold journey to zero carbon
TRU is on the brink of a monumental achievement—progressing toward our ambitious goal of zero carbon! How? Together with our partners, Creative Energy, known for innovative district energy solutions, and BC Hydro, we are building a cutting-edge Low-Carbon District Energy System (LCDES) on our Kamloops campus.
The LCDES is the most ambitious energy project in TRU’s history and replaces our old natural gas boilers with a sustainable electrical heating source, making our campus greener than ever by offsetting over 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over the next 30 years—this is like planting a 4,000-acre forest, a space 16 times larger than our own campus.
TRU will be one of the first universities in North America to hit zero carbon.
With the LCDES, TRU continues to demonstrate our commitment toward building a greener future and as a leader in what true sustainability looks like.
Starting in fall 2024
Get ready for the future!
The building of LCDES will be starting in fall 2024 and includes the construction of the Sustainability Powerhouse, a marvel of modern engineering located in the heart of the Kamloops campus.
Half of this building will be an energy plant and serve as a "living lab," showcasing cutting-edge electrically powered air-source and water-source heat pumps along with backup natural gas boilers. Heat will be generated here and pushed throughout the campus in underground pipes to 13 existing buildings: Arts and Education, Administrative Services Building, Campus Activity Centre, Clock Tower, Culinary Arts Training Centre, Brown Family House of Learning, Indigenous Education Centre, International Building, Ken Lepin Science and Health Sciences Building, North Tower Residence, Old Library Administration and Research Annex (OLARA), Old Main and TRU Gymnasium.
The other half of the Powerhouse will host the new offices of the award-winning TRU Sustainability Office.
See below to learn more about milestones and construction updates.
View MilestonesPowering up with strong partnerships
Our sustainability journey is powered by remarkable partnerships.
Creative Energy and BC Hydro have been instrumental in pushing this clean energy initiative forward. Together, we’re making a real difference.
Cutting-edge heating solutions
The Sustainability Powerhouse will be a marvel of modern engineering.
The Sustainability Powerhouse will feature air-source and water-source heat pumps that provide a renewable energy heating source. Natural gas boilers will be on standby for backup, ensuring resilience and uninterrupted operations. An underground closed-loop distribution system will weave through the campus, connecting buildings to the LCDES and allowing us to retire our old boilers.
Expansion potential: building a greener tomorrow
But we’re not stopping there.
A second phase of the LCDES has been proposed to connect an additional five buildings and further decarbonize campus spaces. In the future, new TRU buildings and nearby City of Kamloops buildings, like the Tournament Capital Centre and the Canada Games Aquatic Centre, along with buildings in The Reach development on campus, could also connect to the system. Additional low-carbon generation capacity and thermal energy storage can be added to the LCDES, providing renewable infrastructure for future growth.
FAQ's
When will major construction begin?
Site preparation for the LCDES Sustainability Powerhouse near Old Main will begin on Mar. 18, followed by excavation and deep civil work starting Mar. 24.
Will parking be impacted?
Yes, throughout the project, some parking areas will be temporarily closed. Detours and alternate parking options will be provided. Any affected permit holders will be informed in advance of any closures and alternative parking options.
Who can I contact with questions?
For inquiries or feedback, email us at carbonneutral@tru.ca.
Be a Hero for Zero
Support a zero-carbon future with a donation and have your name honoured in the Sustainability Powerhouse.
Milestones on our journey
2021
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Engaged in public consultation on the LCDES.
2023
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Received approval for the first phase from the BC Utilities Commission.
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Conducted public consultation on the proposed second phase.
2024
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Breaking ground on construction in fall 2024.
2030
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Once the project is complete, emissions (from heating buildings using natural gas) will be reduced by 95% compared to 2020 levels.
Stay tuned for project updates and progress
Stay tuned for construction updates and more information about the LCDES project. This major initiative will significantly reduce our environmental impact and set the stage for a sustainable tomorrow.
Any questions, email zerocarbon@tru.ca.
