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Annual Capital Allowance (ACA) Program

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Background

The Annual Capital Allowance (ACA) budget is an allocation of funds granted by the Provincial Government with approval of the Ministry of Advanced Education & Labour Market Development (ALMA) and the Treasury Board at the Ministry of Finance & Corporate Relations (MFCR).

The Provincial formula to allocate the ACA budget is based on the amount of space inventory, multiplied by both (a) an "age of facility" factor (for each facility) and (b) a "location factor" to ensure value per dollar equity regardless of an institution’s geographic location. ALMA first determines the overall amount then The University Presidents' Council (TUPC)applies a rolling percentage between the institutions to distribute it.

ACA funds at Vancouver Island University are typically directed to renovations, upgrades and maintenance in support of the University’s teaching and research activities. Individually under $1.5M, projects consist of renovations to:

  • achieve better utilization of space,
  • modify space for a new use,
  • renovate outmoded space or
  • conform with health, safety, seismic and fire regulations, or
  • upgrade to universal access standards.

Projects Ineligible for ACA Minor Capital

Departmental moves, loose furniture, systems furniture, computers, lab and research equipment, major capital projects or projects with Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) grants are considered ineligible for ACA funding.

Projects Eligible for ACA Minor Capital

Facility Renewal

Institutional priorities and academic renovations to lab, office and learning spaces based on academic program or non-program needs.

Examples: Classroom renovations

Building Systems and Communication Upgrades

Upgrade building systems to improve interior environments and technical systems.

Examples: HVAC upgrade, Data network mapping, Back-flow prevention analysis; Server room cooling, Server room fire protection systems.

Safety, Health and Environmental Compliance

Upgrade spaces to conform to current health and safety regulations.

Examples: Fall protection, Roof anchors, Asbestos removal, Eye safety shower installation.

Institutional Infrastructure Upgrades

Upgrade or replace infrastructure.

Examples: Traffic calming / sidewalk upgrades and repairs, Water line service upgrade and entry twinning, New sanitary waste line.

Access Upgrades

Improve access for persons with disabilities within exterior public areas of campus and the interior of campus buildings.

Examples: Automatic door opener installation, Ramp widening, Handrail installations.

Safer Campus

Improve personal safety within exterior public areas of campus.

Examples: Exterior lighting, Emergency phone upgrade and installation.

Cyclical Maintenance & Renewal

Cyclical maintenance funds are dedicated to expenditures on a facility’s infrastructure to ensure that the facility completes its useful life. This is routine maintenance and repairs of existing systems and components. The repairs prevent major or progressive deterioration of the facility and or correct deficiencies in design and construction no longer covered by warranty, as well as allow for the efficient functioning of building systems. Cyclical renewal is the scheduled replacement of existing components or equipment.

The Cyclical Maintenance plan is reviewed and fine tuned on an on-going basis with operations, engineering, architectural and building audit data and analysis. In addition to the routine maintenance elements, the Cyclical Maintenance funding addresses some deferred maintenance issues.

Examples: Roofing inspections and associated preventative repairs, wall re-painting on a 7 to 10 year cycle; mechanical and electrical systems such as HVAC repairs and adjustments, group re-lamping projects.