TORONTO, April 14, 2003 -- Ontario Premier Ernie Eves was at York University today to announce the University’s new General Academic Building will receive $23.4 million from the province’s SuperBuild fund to create 3175 new student spaces at York. Eves was at York to announce $180 million in new SuperBuild funding for post-secondary projects.

Lorna R. Marsden, York president and vice-chancellor, welcomed the announcement: "We are very pleased that this important project will be supported by the government, and wish to thank the Premier and Dianne Cunningham, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, who have recognized York’s students, our potential, and our need. This new building will provide crucial teaching and research space necessary to support York’s growth in the coming years."

The $70-million General Academic Building will provide about 3175 new student spaces at York. The 250,000-square-foot building, will be cross-functional and cross-faculty, with 34 lecture halls and classrooms, and 53 laboratories. The targeted completion date is Spring 2005.

This marks the third York project to receive SuperBuild funding. The new Schulich School of Business received $30.5 million, and the Technology Enhanced Learning Building received $46.99 million from the first round of SuperBuild funding announced February 2000. Both buildings are scheduled for completion in time for the arrival of the double cohort in September 2003 and together will provide 6000 new student spaces on the York campus.

York University is Canada’s third-largest University, with a community of more than 43,000 full and part-time students in 10 faculties. Since its inception in 1959, York has led the way in innovative, interdisciplinary education in Canada, allowing students to achieve ground-breaking success on their own terms.

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For further information, please contact:

Cim Nunn
Director, Media Relations
York University
416-736-2100, ext. 22087
cimnunn@yorku.ca

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