Construction starts on Zekelman Centre addition at St. Clair College
Construction is officially underway on the expansion of the Zekelman Centre of Business and Information Technology at St. Clair College’s Windsor campus.
Various dignitaries—including Barry Zekelman, chairman and CEO of Zekelman Industries, after whose family the building is named, and college president Patti France—were on hand to launch construction on September 16.
The college unveiled the building design at the construction launch. The building will feature an additional two floors and 40,000 square feet of classrooms, student study areas, meeting rooms and faculty offices. A large auditorium, called Alumni Hall, and Canada’s first Esports arena will be the centerpieces of the $23-million build.
“This centre will give our students the resources to study in a space that provides them with vast opportunities to learn and grow,” said France, who described the building as a differentiator among similarly sized post-secondary institutions.
The project received provincial approval last year. Funding for the centre will come from the College, student fees administered by the Student Representative Council, the school’s Alumni Association and the Zekelman family.
“We are thrilled to finally break ground and commence the construction of what will be the area’s predominant school of business,” said Zekelman. “The Zekelman School of Business and Information Technology will provide a platform for future entrepreneurs to launch their careers and pursue their dreams. We are proud to have our name associated with such a great community institution.”
The Zekelmans, who own North America’s largest independent steel tube manufacturer, have created jobs and economic growth and supported countless charities and causes in Windsor and Essex County, through the Stephanie and Barry Zekelman Foundation.
“We are honoured to have the support of the Zekelman family,” said France. “The business acumen Barry Zekelman brings to the table is immeasurable and our students are fortunate to be able to attend an institution that continues to raise the bar in post-secondary education.”
Many of the 5,000 business students will continue to attend the Zekelman School of Business and Information Technology, located on Riverside Drive West.