In photos: Inside SFU Burnaby’s massive dining hall expansion

A massive new expansion to the SFU dining hall brings healthy food, plenty of seating, 24/7 dining, and much more to its Burnaby campus. Burnaby Beacon was on the mountain on Monday to get a sneak peek at the new changes and additions.

The major differences between the existing dining hall and the expansion are immediately noticeable with plenty of natural light, wood accents, and the addition of a new floor. The new hall spans 28,000 square ft of sustainable dining space with 500 seats.

There is also a large patio area outside with different seating arrangements, including family-style tables, bistro, and bar seating. There are plenty of electrical outlets and free WiFi available for students who are looking to get some last-minute studying done. Plus, the building is air-conditioned making it an oasis for students during the hotter months.

“It’s spectacular. It’s not just about the building but it’s about the food and the social connection students are going to be able to have going forward,” Mark McLaughlin, Chief Commercial Services Officer for SFU, said in a statement before the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The focus on community building is obvious, with large tables offering many seats where students can hang out, meet new friends, and get some studying done. But besides a place for gathering, the food is definitely something to be excited about. There are a total of 10 different culinary stations like a teppanyaki grill, sushi, wok cooking, and made-to-order salads. Those with a sweet tooth will be happy to hear there is an entire section dedicated to dessert which includes a self-serve soft-serve machine.

Over 40% of the food served is locally sourced in BC and there are plenty of halal, vegetarian, and vegan options for students as well. There is even a dedicated made-without-gluten pantry for those with a gluten allergy. This pantry is locked to the public and only accessible to those who need it.

As part of this new dining hall expansion, students will also have access to a dietitian to help them make healthy choices. “At SFU, we are committed to fostering a vibrant and welcoming campus community for our students—and that includes providing good, healthy food!” said SFU president Joy Johnson in a press release.

“Having a welcoming space to study and grab a nutritious meal is fundamental and an important part of the university experience,” said Mayor Mike Hurley.

“This new hall alongside the current construction of the phase two expansion of the SFU residence and housing plan will accommodate students who will be calling Burnaby campus home.”

The dining hall was constructed with sustainability as a guiding principle. A majority of the dishware and cutlery are reusable, which will help eliminate single-use dishes and cutlery. Also, a significant amount of sustainable Canadian wood was used in both the construction of the building and in some of the locally built tables. In addition to SFU composting all food waste and being a Fairtrade Gold Campus and using many Fairtrade-certified ingredients in meal preparation, this is one of the many sustainable buildings on SFU’s Burnaby campus.

Additionally, students won’t have to worry about rushing to grab their next meal. “Our dining hall was the first 24/7 dining hall in the country when we opened that program seven years ago and of course, the dining commons is also a 24/7 operation,” said McLaughlin. “Students can eat at any time on their schedule. They’ll never show up here and the doors will be closed.”

The new dining commons is open to everyone, so you don’t have to worry about being an SFU student or being on the SFU meal plan to enjoy the great food. You can visit the new SFU dining hall expansion at 8888 University Dr. W.