University of Winnipeg to build new $4.75M multi-use space

TheUniversity of Winnipeg says it plans to build a new, multi-million dollar addition toits downtown campus next year.

U of W administration said in a release Tuesday that LeatherdaleHallwill serve as a multi-use space for students and alumni alike.

The5,877-square-foot,two-storeybuilding will be home to a canteen, two high schoolclassrooms anda common room with a lecture areafor presentations. "Tony's Canteen" will seat150 and canalso be turned into aconference room or reception area.

"In times past, 'Tony's'was the central hub of life at United College and the Collegiate, where teachers met with their students and each other and even held small seminars around the tables,"Rob Bend, dean of the Collegiate, said in a statement.

"We are excited to rejuvenate the spirit of Tony's and offer students and the broader community new places to meet and connect."

The build will be made possible, in part, due to a$2.5 million donation from Douglas W. and LouiseLeatherdale.

"Leatherdale Hall will be a magnificent offshoot to Convocation Hall and will become an important fixture for UWinnipeg and Collegiate students alike, much like it was in my days,"Douglas Leatherdale said in a statement.

"It will also serve as a wonderful meeting place for the surrounding community and become a vibrant centre of academic life in the heart of downtown Winnipeg."

Administration said they hope to raise another$1.5 million through fundraising to help make the building a reality.

Constructionis set tostart in the fall of 2016 and be completed in early 2017.