Construction crews at the new University Centre may soon disappear but that doesn't mean construction on campus is going to end. A new project is in the works. A multi-use building is planned for the area just north of Health Sciences.

According to vice-president administration Karen Belaire, “There are three key demands for the new space. The Centre for Molecular Medicine & Health has received significant funding through CFI, OIT and ORDCF and needs room for laboratories and support areas. The hospital requires additional space to expand critical care services. The University needs additional teaching space so one floor has been designated for new classrooms.”

The scope of the overall project is still being determined but an architect, Norr Ltd., has been selected to begin work on the early design stages. The building will be a minimum of four storeys and will connect on the second floor to the existing Health Sciences building.

Belaire says, “Placing the building bridge on the second storey allows us to move ahead with the creation of King's Walk as proposed in the newly-approved campus plan. The goal is to make a pedestrian entrance at King Street and Forsyth that is safe and attractive and allows pedestrians and cyclists to move easily between the buildings to get to the central part of campus.

“It's exciting that this project will be the first to proceed under the new campus plan. It gives us a great framework for maximizing the building's potential, ensuring that the design is complementary to campus and for consulting with our neighbours.”

The new building means the McMaster Daycare Centre will need to be relocated. After consultation with the centre's board of directors it has been agreed that the daycare will move to the lower level of Wentworth House, which is being vacated by the Downstairs John. Renovations to that facility should be completed this summer.