By now, members of our community will have noticed the construction work that has just begun in Brennan Hall. We are pleased to inform staff, faculty, students, alumni and our partners that the iconic St. Mike’s building is undergoing a major interior renovation—one that will centralize essential student services at the heart of our campus and enhance Brennan Hall as a hub for student life.
Undertaken in partnership with Gow Hastings Architects, a firm with extensive experience in creating student-focused spaces, the two-phase project entered its first phase on January 22. Through ongoing consultations with students and other USMC community members, Gow Hastings has developed a plan for Brennan Lounge to house a reimagined, modernized Registrar’s Office next to an open inviting space where students can study, eat, and meet with friends while waiting for academic appointments. This work to create a “one-stop-shop” for student services and a renewed centre for our community’s social life is now underway thanks to the allocation by the university of a Capital Fund to launch the renovation and the generous support of a small group of alumni and friends. A fundraising campaign to raise the remaining funds needed to complete this exciting project will be launched soon.
Here are a number of other important pieces of information related to this phase of construction:
- The Canada Room will remain accessible through the Brennan Hall South Entrance.
- The Coop is reserved as a student-only space until the end of classes on April 5.
- The SMCSU office has moved to Brennan Hall 102.
- The office of Stephen Marchment, Assistant Dean, Residence Life, has moved to Brennan Hall 203.
- The office of Erica Tice, Campus Minister, has moved to Brennan Hall 107A.
Beginning in late spring, phase two of the project will transform the Dodig Family Coop and the spaces that surround it into a bright and modern hub for student and staff offices, lounge spaces and meeting areas. Flexible and adaptable workspaces, warm lighting, numerous charging stations and extra food options will help to reaffirm Brennan Hall’s centrality in the USMC community.
Consultations with our student community, including a Town Hall and web survey have been valuable in helping shape the vision of the renewed Brennan Hall.
This brief video provides an introduction to the Brennan Hall renovation project and a glimpse into some early design concepts:
For a taste of things to come, Gow Hastings has provided proposed renderings of the renovated spaces:
Finally, this FAQ document contains further information about all aspects of the renovation.
Many thanks to everyone who has already weighed in or otherwise contributed to this project. We look forward to sharing updates with the St. Mike’s community as the work continues.