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Forever ongoing

By Sean Tepper
Associate News editor

Ryerson students will have to wait until the beginning of next semester to step foot in The Peter Gilgan Athletic Centre at the Gardens, as the university’s new athletic facility is not expected to be opened until early this summer.

“What we call the base build is now completed. All the cement work [is done], and now we’re into the fit ups,” said Ryerson President Sheldon Levy. “If you compared it to a house, you’re now into the wallboards, the plumbing, etc. If you went into the arena you’d see that the ice and the plumbing from the ice has been put in and you’ll see the form for the seats but the seats haven’t been put in. All the structures necessary [and] all the base build is in.”

Originally expected to open last fall, and then slated to be opened this March, MLG has encountered a number of minor setbacks that have affected its construction schedule.

“A couple of extra months for something like this is basically on schedule,” he said. “There will be a grand opening date, but it has not been finalized yet.”

With the construction now expected to be completed by June, Ryerson is expected to hold two grand openings: one for the media in July and one for its student body in September. However, no specific plans have been made.

“It will likely be in June [and] there will almost certainly be another opening in September,” said Levy.

“A lot of planning is going into this.”

If construction is completed on time and students are permitted in the facility by September, Ryerson’s student union will likely hold their annual parade and picnic in the Gardens.

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