Politicians, university officials and students turned out to celebrate the grand opening of the latest addition to the University of Winnipeg today.
After a slew of speeches and an official ribbon cutting ceremony the new Furby Langside campus is open for business.
The campus located on Langside and Portage Avenue includes the McFeetors Hall Great West Life student residence; 25 townhomes for families and a new daycare centre.
"It reflects a shared vision for the revitalization of the campus and bringing a new sense of vitality to the new inner city," said former graduate and Great West Life Chair Ray McFeetors.
The residence is named after McFeetors who made a personal commitment of $1.67 million to the new facility while Great West Life topped it up with another $1 million.
University officials and students believe the residence will be a draw for new recruits to the school.
"I believe it is a way of bringing students here because housing is a big factor if you are not comfortable in your room then you won't have a good time living there and you won't feel comfortable," said McFeetors student resident Kari Broadfoot.
The facility can house more than 170 residents in one, two or three bedroom suites. The residence is also tech savvy with wireless internet throughout.
The area surrounding the campus may also receive a makeover with McFeetors hinting with his new position as Vice-Chair of Power Corporation an additional funding announcement should be expected soon.
