Laurentian University moving towards a more modern campus

Take a trip onto the Laurentian University campus in Sudbury and you'll notice the sights and sounds of construction.

The school is in the final stages of its $51-million campus modernization project. It's a 76,200 square-metre renovation with 6,096 square metres of new construction.

Some work will wrap up in September, as students arrive for the new semester. The rest will be completed by December.

Executive director of Facility Services Brad Parkes says one of the most noticeable differences will be a new front entrance between the current dining area and the Parker building.

"We're renovating the first floor, closing in the breezeway, creating a student-centred space, a front door to the university. The second floor is fully renovated. We'll be creating student spaces, a new bookstore and some offices. The third floor will be student space, the atrium and some offices, as well."

New space, new students?

Other work expected to wrap up by September are the new Executive Learning Centre, the University Club and upgrades to the Alphonse Raymond building.

The Alphonse will now be fully accessible after an elevator was installed.

The Executive Learning Centre and the University Club are social spaces for graduate students, faculty and staff.

Parkes says the renovations are meant to help attract new students. He says the last time Laurentian made upgrades was in the 1960's.

100 workers on site

Parkes says the Indigenous sharing and learning Centre is the project he's most looking forward to seeing come to fruition. It's a rounded building, fully glassed in with a wood structure. The round room will be used for ceremonial purposes and a classroom.

Laurentian University provides education to more than 1,000 Indigenous students. Parkes says this is a place on campus those students can call home.

The new book store and the one-stop student shop (on first floor of the Parker building will be ready once students arrive for classes in September.

Construction started in October 2014. Parkes says roughly 100 construction workers are on campus daily to get the upgrades done in time.