Memorial sets eight-year course to renew aging infrastructure

Ref. no.: 119

Memorial has established an eight-year deferred maintenance program, driven by a focus on the student experience and a strong commitment to accessibility.

The Board of Regents approved the program, which includes the demolition of Coughlan College; re-waterproofing and interior refurbishment of nearly one kilometre of academic tunnels; an elevator modernization and refurbishment program; a building envelope system replacement program, i.e. windows, curtain wall, brick and doors; construction of a new primary data centre; and an emergency fund.

In its 2025-26 budget, the provincial government provided Memorial debt relief on the Core Science Facility, which equates to $70 million over eight years. Memorial is using the funds to help reduce the university’s outstanding deferred maintenance work, currently valued at $507 million.

This funding is in addition to other projects that will be funded via the Campus Renewal Fee, which provides approximately $7.8 million annually for physical and digital infrastructure projects.

Intentional approach

“This investment allows us to take a longer-term and intentional planning approach,” said Rayna Luther, associate vice-president (facilities). “We have identified impactful areas from our deferred maintenance list, which will address problematic areas that come up in our regular operations and in conversations with students, faculty, staff and visitors.”

The development of the eight-year deferred maintenance program was guided by a number of principles, including prioritizing projects that improve the student experience and accessibility for all stakeholders, as well as creating energy-efficient, sustainable and resilient infrastructure

Reporting on the progress of advancing the program will be part of regular updates to the Board of Regents through the Physical and Digital Infrastructure Committee of the Board. Memorial is committed to openness and transparency through sharing information about this program, which is responsive to the auditor general’s Facilities Management report.

An open call for bids for the demolition of Coughlan College was awarded in December 2025 and onsite work will begin this month. An open call for bids for the construction of a new primary data centre was issued in December 2025 and is scheduled to close in February 2026.

Academic tunnel work will occur over multiple years due to the weather-dependent nature of the work and its impact to campus. Nearly one kilometre of the tunnels on the St. John’s campus is scheduled for improvement. Design work is ongoing and construction of the first phase is expected to commence in spring 2026. An elevator consultant has been engaged to provide design services and planning work is underway for the first phase of this program.

“We are pleased to see this increase in available funds to help address the deferred maintenance issue,” Ms. Luther. “It is a step in the right direction, and with the guiding principles in place that align with the university’s core values, we will continue to prioritize projects that benefit our students and the health, safety, functionality and comfort of all occupants.”

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For more information, or to arrange an interview with Rayna Luther, associate vice-president (facilities), contact Sandy Woolfrey-Fahey, sandywf@mun.ca.