The new Core Science facility at Memorial University is officially open, and is coming in on budget.

The 480,000 square foot complex features research labs, teaching labs and other teaching and support spaces, as well as a blue whale skeleton, donated by the Dobbin family.

The budget for the building was $325 million dollars, with MUN contributing $200 million, Ottawa putting in $99.9 million, and the province topping it off with $25 million dollars.

MUN President Vianne Timmons credits her predecessor Dr. Gary Kachanosky for his planning and execution of the project.

She calls the building “world class”.

Timmons says we should have world class facilities in the province, and should be proud of a facility like this.

She says she’s excited for the students and faculty who get to use it daily.

Meanwhile, Minister of Education Tom Osborne reported that $180 million dollars was spent in the province on materials.