The new residence currently under construction on the St. John’s campus is beginning to look livable.

Construction crews have been working feverishly to finalize all the details in anticipation of the September opening of the first of two towers – many of which can be viewed in this time-lapse video, filmed from September 2010 to May 2012: www.mun.ca/hfcs/housingservices/on_campus/renos/timelapse.php.

The second tower is slated to open in January 2014.

The new residence will provide students with a more independent lifestyle than typically provided in Paton College, while keeping the guidance and support essential to a successful transition from living at home. Private bedrooms with semi-private washrooms will be available, and each floor includes a community lounge and meeting/study space.

“Everything is on schedule,” said Nancy Parsons, interim director, Housing, Food and Conference Services.

In addition to the evolving housing options Memorial is providing to its students, many improvements have been ongoing in Paton College. Each room will now have wired and wireless Internet access, as well as cable television access. Single rooms which previously held a twin bed will now be upgraded to double beds.

Paton College has also become more energy efficient. The switch from a hot water to an electrical heating system and the addition of brand new ventilation systems is having the largest impact on energy efficiency. But other changes, including compact fluorescent light bulbs in every socket, have further decreased energy use. New low-flow plumbing fixtures are reducing water usage.

At this point, Barnes, Blackall, Bowater, Burke, Curtis, Rothermere and Squires have been completely renovated. Currently, in addition to general upgrades, Hatcher House is being refurbished so that a new food service area will be open by October. Renovated offices and residence rooms in Hatcher will be move-in ready in December.

Doyle House will open again in fall 2013; however, residents of Doyle will move to the second tower of the new residence once it is open. Doyle House will then close in order to begin renovations. Cartier Court in Burton’s Pond Apartments is also currently undergoing renovations and is scheduled to open in September.

With a sizeable bump in the number of students living on campus in the coming months, Housing, Food and Conference Services have been strategizing to ensure everyone is provided for properly. The new food services areas in Hatcher House will help accommodate the increase in residents with meal plans. Memorial’s new food service contract with Aramark Canada includes new meal plan models and increased service hours for students who eat meals at the Main Dining Hall, as well.

“Between the two, we can accommodate the extra 500 residents with meal plans,” said Ms. Parsons. “The new food service areas in Hatcher will be ready by the time both towers are open and we will accommodate the additional residents from the first tower for the first few weeks of this fall in the Main Dining Hall. We’re ready for everyone to come through our doors in September.”