A good old opinionated review from a long time user…
Oh the IceLab! I’ve been frequenting this place for over 3 years including watching the construction process as a Freshaman up to renting an office as a 5th year senior. Interesting vibe, I rented an office here for over 6 months. The managers are helpful yet it seems you have to really create or highlight value in their lives to get what you need or any help. Know where your money is going. The amazing Mac computers memory storage were full and Adobe couldn’t be used while I was there making work difficult to accomplish (check out Western Library). Also it was hard because the recording studio was privately owned for a while then an office moved right next door, making recording next to someone’s office undesireable and off limits having to pass a private office to use public space… check out KWSB Western collegiate radio stations studios if you want a legit welcoming recording experience. I was a student, this space used to be Western’s property (climbing wall & hangout) yet students are sparsely there except during the daytime to study, yet networking or social development between students is not common. Coffee with Coworkers is a good time to reflect and empathize, yet nobody truely helped me out as an upcoming entrepreneur. Everyone kept to themselves or their favored friends (cliques) Kitchen is barely used, offices were barely used when I was there it just seems like a place for people like myself who can’t afford office space in town yet crave a social setting. I hope management reads this and can develop a more catered and caring environment where they go out of their way to make this people, especially Western students feel welcome! If you want your money’s worth, make sure to study downstairs @ the CoffeeLab where you are always welcome and the staff is awesome!
Maybe this is your vibe and the IceLab is for you, there is a lot of potential here… maybe I just had a bad experience or two but it’s those experiences that drove me to write this long review… someone’s gotta do it. Just please bring more students into the space they used to use (located between the freshman dorms yet very few freshman know if it’s presence).
PSA:
Also make sure they know you moved out of an office or they will charge you for time you weren’t present a the IceLab or using the amenities. They also hiked prices without warning yet did explain why after I asked why a higher rate was being charged.
Peace and Love - DJ DDD