MUN demolishing oldest wing of the former Battery Hotel

Memorial University will begin demolishing the oldest wing of the former Battery Hotel next month, as it prepares for another round of renovations.

The former so-called 'city view wing' — including its swimming pool — will be knocked down in April.

• Vacant no more: Battery Hotel reopens as MUN residence
• MUN beginning exterior renovations on former Battery Hotel

Rob Greenwood, Memorial's executive director of public engagement, said that the old wooden building had multiple roof problems and accessibility issues.

Renovating it, he said, would have cost more money than it was worth.

"To make it usable and up to code would have been a real lot of work," said Greenwood. "You're probably throwing good money after bad."

He said during consultations, people firmly stated that they wouldn't mind seeing the old wing go.

"Nobody was really in love with that part of the building so tearing it down and putting in something better is seen as a win-win."

Greenwood said that he'd love to see something built in its place, but there are no definitive plans right now.

Main building to open as public space

MUN is also issuing tenders for construction on the main building, which it's redeveloping into offices, conference space and a place for the public to connect with the university.

Once renovated, Greenwood says he wants the main building to be a link between Memorial and the public.

The main staircase will have space for seating, so Greenwood said it can convert into a stage for lectures or debates.

The facility is expected to open by winter 2017.

Part of the Battery has already reopened as an 87-room graduate residence.

Only 24 students are currently living there, however, as it opened just before school began.

Greenwood says the addition of a shuttle between the Battery and MUN's main campus was a critical requirement for grad students.

He expects the graduate residence to be full this coming September.