Dalhousie Students Call Gerard Hall Home

More than 250 Dalhousie University students will call Gerard Hall home this year and well into the future. The provincial government has agreed to lease the residence to the university for the next 100 years.

The Morris Street building is on the site of the former Halifax Infirmary. It has been used as a student residence on short-term leases since 2001. The university will pay the province $150 for the entire term of the new lease.

"This lease agreement gives the university stability to make long-term infrastructure plans," said Education Minister Jamie Muir. "With low vacancy rates around Dalhousie, it's good for students to be assured that this building will be available as a residence for many years to come."

Dalhousie expects to invest $2 million in renovations to the building over the next three to four years. Some are already underway, including construction of an underground firewall, a new electrical room, a new roof and upgrades to the washrooms. Dalhousie will continue to be responsible for maintenance costs.

"We've gone from a short-term rental agreement to a more stable situation that will be of great benefit to Dalhousie and our students," said Bryan Mason, Dalhousie's vice-president of finance and administration. "As we expect increased enrolment in the coming years, this development fits well with our enrolment policy."

The 100-year lease of Gerard Hall will begin on Sept. 1, 2003.