On June 24, mcCallumSather joined Lakehead University and community partners at a ground blessing ceremony for the new veterinary education facility that will support the university’s Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program in partnership with the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College, Canada’s first veterinary program created specifically to train students from northern Ontario communities to serve rural and underserved areas in the region.
Designed to address the critical shortage of veterinarians in northern Ontario, particularly for the growing agri-food sector, the program also responds to the lack of accessible medical care for family pets in many northern, rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.
Held on the university’s Thunder Bay campus, the ceremony marks a meaningful first step in preparing the site for construction. The event was led by Indigenous Elders and community members, in recognition of the program’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and its unique integration of Indigenous values and perspectives on animal care.
mcCallumSather serves as the lead architect and mechanical engineer on this transformative project, which includes the construction of an animal education facility for both large and small animals, feed/bedding storage building, and renovations to existing spaces within the university’s ATAC and CASES buildings to support clinical training, student life, and anatomy/pathobiology studies. Together, these facilities will total approximately 25,833 square feet of purpose-built space.
A building that intersects teaching the next generation of veterinarians and keeping the primary occupants—cows, horses, and sheep — happy and healthy, the new animal education facility leverages sustainable building practices with traditional agricultural construction methods, featuring a double-pitched roof and a translucent envelope with polycarbonate cladding and high insulation values. Operable openings contribute to natural ventilation, provide views for the animals, and bathe the inside with daylight. In working closely with The University of Guelph, OMAFA, and CCAC, the architectural and mechanical project teams collaborated to design an environment that improves the quality of life for the animals and fosters hands-on learning for the students.
The facility is designed with advanced mechanical systems that prioritize animal well-being, sustainability, and operational efficiency. The system integrates a high-performance boiler plant, precision climate control technologies, and robust ventilation tailored to the needs of both large and small animals. Natural ventilation strategies harness wind and animal-generated heat in cow housing areas, while clinical and kennel spaces are supported by 100% outdoor air handling with energy recovery and hybrid heating. Cleanable radiant panels and automated air pressurization ensure hygienic, safe environments, aligned with healthcare and animal care standards.
“We are deeply honoured to contribute to a project that not only advances veterinary education in Ontario but also reflects an approach to design that respects the land, acknowledges Indigenous stewardship, and creates an inclusive, equitable environment for future generations of veterinarians,” said Liam Brown, Principal, Architect at mcCallumSather.
The project is being delivered in collaboration with the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College, bringing together two institutions to deliver a program that will recruit 20 northern students per year and train them to serve both large and small animal veterinary needs in northern communities. The facility is expected to be complete by 2026, with construction commencing later this summer.
In recognition of Indigenous values, the project’s lead philanthropic supporters, Kim and Stu Lang, worked with Lakehead’s Elders’ Council and Denise Baxter, Vice-Provost Indigenous Initiatives to seek guidance on a name for the building that will honour the land. The new large animal education Facility will carry the name Gakina Awesiinyag, meaning “All Animals (Place For)” in the Anishinaabemowin language.
“This project represents the kind of collaborative, purpose-driven work that makes a lasting impact,” said Kevin Van Hartingsveldt, Principal, Project Manager at mcCallumSather. “We’ve worked closely with Lakehead University and community partners to deliver a facility tailored to the unique needs of northern communities.”
As architects and engineers with a deep commitment to sustainable, community-focused design, mcCallumSather continues to work closely with Lakehead University, Elders, faculty, and the broader team to create a facility that meets both the technical demands of veterinary education and the cultural imperatives of reconciliation and local relevance.
