Memorial University has put together an eight-year deferred maintenance plan to address more than $500 million in needed infrastructure repairs and upgrades.

Debt relief on MUN’s Core Science Building, to the tune of $70 million, was provided to the university by government in the last budget.

That funding will be used to reduce MUN’s outstanding deferred maintenance work.

That’s in addition to other projects which will be funded through the Campus Renewal Fee – amounting to another $7.8 million annually.

MUN’s Board of Regents approved the program which will include the demolition of Coughlan College, water-proofing and interior renovations to nearly one km of academic tunnels, elevator modernization, work on windows, brick and doors, construction of a new primary data centre and an emergency fund.

Onsite work ahead of the demolition of Coughlan College is expected to begin this month. Bids on construction of a new primary data centre are expected to close this month.

Work on the initial phase of refurbishment of MUN’s tunnel system is expected to begin in the spring.