Construction delays with the new Laurentian University School of Architecture building on Elm Street cost the university another $1.5 million.
When the university realized in late 2014 the building wouldn't be opening on time — it was supposed to open in September 2015, but is now expected to open this coming September — it allocated the extra funds.
Some of the money went towards renting more space for classrooms at St. Andrew's Place, a church located in the downtown.
“We had to make some different plans for last fall as we realized with our contractor partner that we weren't going to be occupying in the fall,” said Carol McAulay, Laurentian's vice-president of administration.
“That drives costs some. We rented more space at St. Andrew's Place. We had another cohort of students. Changes in schedule certainly do add costs, so we went back to the board and asked for an increase of the budget by $1.5 million.”
Bondfield Construction has the contract for the $23.9-million building, which has been under construction since the spring of 2014.
McAulay said the building's substantial completion will be done in late winter or early spring, but then it will have to be commissioned, which involves systems being initiated and furniture being moved in.
The building won't be fully occupied until September 2016, when the university will host its grand opening.
The entire project — which also included the refurbishment of the former Market Square and CP telegraph building — cost $44.1 million.
The former Market Square building is now a shop for students, while the CP telegraph building is faculty office space.
The Laurentian University School of Architecture only opened in 2013, and currently has slightly less than 200 students.
McAulay said the new building is nearing completion, and is being closed in right now. She said it will be a few more months before the fences come down, and people can get a better look.
While you wait for the work to be completed, check out this time-lapse of the construction.
