Queen’s University’s new medical school building on the corner of Arch and Stuart Streets is now 85 per cent complete, says senior project manager Mike Finn (shown below, standing on the top level of what has been dubbed “the glass lantern” – a three-storey atrium facing Stuart Street).
Dry walling is nearly finished, painting has started, and furniture and equipment have been ordered. Over the summer, the building will be made functional and medical students will move into the state-of-the-art teaching and learning facility in September.
The $77M-project has been made possible through support from the Canada-Ontario Knowledge Infrastructure Program: $28.8M from the federal government and $28.8M from the provincial government. The balance of $19.4M will be provided by gifts from alumni, friends, faculty and students.
A distinguishing component of the new $77m structure is the use of natural lighting throughout, including a stunning, three-floor “glass lantern” atrium. The new medical school will also be the first building at the university constructed to certified LEEDS specifications and to comply with new provincial building code seismic requirements.
Commenting on the construction back in September, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Richard Reznick, added “Construction of the new building means more than just the addition of new facilities. With it comes a spirit of renewal and revitalization. We look towards positive change in the way we educate our health professionals, and we expect Queen’s to be at the leading edge of emerging novel educational processes.”
The new medical school will serve as a hub for innovative medical education, small group teaching, simulation and integrated science labs. In addition, it will act as an integrated center for teaching, research, administrative and student facilities, allowing Queen’s to further build upon the solid foundations of its medical programs and provide the region, province and country with greater access to doctors.
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Photo / Release compiled from Queen’s University News Centre sources
