Media Release

For Immediate Release

April 29, 2008

Saint Mary's cuts ribbon on newly renovated science building and turns sod for new atrium

Dr. Esther Enns, Saint Mary's Dean of Arts (centre), turns the sod to mark the beginning of contruction on the university's new Atrium Complex. Dr. J. Colin Dodds , President of Saint Mary's (right), Paul J. Dyer, Chair of the Saint Mary's Board of Governors, Gabrielle Morrison, Vice-President, Administration and Bilguun Ankhbayar of the Saint Mary's Student Association join in the ceremony. Dr. David Richardson (left) and Dr. Colin J. Dodds (right) hold the ribbon as Dr. Malcolm Butler, Dean of Science, and student Amy Holland open the newly renovated Science Building.

Halifax, NS – Students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends gathered on campus today to celebrate the official opening of the newly renovated Science Building and to turn the sod for a new Atrium Complex that is set to begin construction.

Dr. J. Colin Dodds, President of Saint Mary’s, said the newly renovated and extended Science Building and upcoming Atrium Complex reflect the University’s strategic plan for renovation and renewal and will help attract the best and brightest faculty and students from Atlantic Canada and around the world.

“We must provide our students, faculty and staff with state-of-the-art tools and learning spaces that foster discovery,” said Dr. Dodds. “Our country’s prospects for economic growth and societal well-being will greatly depend on its capacity to develop and apply new technology.”

The $25.5 million Science Building Renewal Project began in May 2005 and included the renovation and modernization of the University’s existing five-storey, 71,500 square foot science building as well as the construction of a five-story, 22,500 square foot addition to the north end of the building. The building houses the applied science faculty departments of Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences and Geology along with related programs and services.

The new $17.5 million Atrium will be a 43,000 square foot, three-storey building located in the northwest corner of the campus and will attach to the Science, Patrick Power Library and Burke Buildings. It will feature a main floor Global Learning Commons - a wireless, student-centred, barrier-free communal learning space that encourages interaction between faculty, students and staff, and will provide more opportunity for community engagement. Other unique features of the Atrium include an interior bio-wall and a green roof. The second and third floors will house teaching and study space, along with space for offices and computational sciences research. It’s scheduled to be complete by September 2009.

Both buildings are designed to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

Paul J. Dyer, Chairman of the Saint Mary’s University Board of Governors and Chairman of the campus community division of the Hearts & Minds Capital Campaign, said the investment in the Atrium Complex is the result of the commitment and support from the University’s alumni and friends who believe in Saint Mary’s mission to be the University of choice for aspiring citizens of the world.

"Saint Mary’s has always been at the forefront of education and community development,” said Dyer. “I am proud to be a part of an organization that inspires the kind of vision and commitment to excellence that is unmistakable when you look at our campus.”

Dr. Dodds agreed. He called the newly renovated Science Building and the planned Atrium “a celebration” made possible in large part through the support received from donors and the Government of Canada, as well as the success of the $40-million Hearts & Minds Campaign led by Paul D. Sobey.

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For more information:

Blake Patterson
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: blake.patterson@smu.ca
www.smu.ca