In a proposal to be presented at Hamilton-Wentworth regional council on Tuesday, Oct. 3, the University is requesting that the Regional
Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth donate the former Wentworth County
courthouse property to McMaster for 10 years as a leadership gift to
the Changing Tomorrow Today campaign.

“McMaster has worked with city and regional officials for the past year to develop a way for the University to help revitalize downtown
Hamilton,” says President Peter George. “The courthouse is an ideal
location for the University, and will provide the space we will require over the next decade. It is also a chance for the University and the new City of Hamilton to work together to build and sustain economic growth.”

Regional chair Terry Cooke says he is encouraged by McMaster's
proposal and the potential a university presence brings to downtown.
“This is good news for the downtown. It's a win for McMaster and it
will be a win for the new City of Hamilton.”

According to George, “The development of a downtown site also helps with another of the University's key concerns, congestion in West Hamilton. Opening a new location in the city's core will reduce the traffic, noise and environmental impact our expansion will have on our neighbours.”

McMaster is currently in the midst of $103 million in capital
construction to accommodate the double class of high school graduates in 2003. With virtually every corner of campus under construction, space is at a premium.

While no final decisions have been made regarding which areas at
McMaster may move to a downtown location, the preference is to relocate units or parts of units that have expressed a desire to move, or whose activities would be enhanced by closer links to the community.

If approved by regional council, McMaster hopes to occupy the old
courthouse in April 2001.