Preparing to build McMaster’s new home for the liberal arts

Site preparations are underway for the construction of L.R. Wilson Hall, McMaster’s new home for the liberal arts.

Facility Services is installing hoarding around the site, the former home of Wentworth House, in anticipation of construction which begins shortly.

The McMaster Child Care Centre has been relocated to the west campus and new locations have been found for other Wentworth House occupants. Two weeks ago “The White Woman” statue that was part of the site was also removed and placed in storage. The statue will be placed back on the site once the new building is complete.

L.R. Wilson Hall will be home to the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences. It will feature teaching and learning spaces, including a 400-seat lecture theatre, two-100 seat classrooms and a number of small classrooms. The building will also house significant liberal arts research centres such as the Wilson Institute for Canadian History and the Gilbrea Centre for Health and Aging. McMaster’s Indigenous Studies program and indigenous student support offices will be located there.

L.R. Wilson Hall will also be home to new performing arts spaces including a 350-seat concert hall and the unique “Black Box” theatre that provides space that can reconfigured for a variety of music, dance and spoken word productions.

The project is possible through a $45.5-million investment from the province of Ontario and a $10-million gift from McMaster’s Chancellor L.R. Wilson.

On May 27, the community is invited to attend one of two open houses where renderings, models and information about the building will be shared. The open houses are:

May 27

2-3:30 p.m.

or

7-8:30 p.m.

Council Chambers – Gilmour Hall Room 111