Did you know that McLennan Physical Laboratories will soon be turning 60 years old?

Consultations have been happening with department members on the renewal plan of the McLennan Physics, with a view to setting McLennan Physics up for many more decades of research and teaching. The University has initiated a “Masterplan Renewal Project” and is soliciting input from Physics and the other Departments that share space in McLennan Physics.

Town hall meetings were held in the fall for faculty, students, and staff and a Faculty Retreat was held at Hart House in January, encouraging our physics community to share input on ways to improve the facility and identify major priorities for the renovation. Ideas from this information gathering will provide input into the renewal masterplan’s report on the status and options for McLennan Physics. This report will include an assessment of the size and adequacy of the current space, and will make recommendations on different options for renewing the facility, such as renewal of the basement laboratories and dealing with McLennan’s aging infrastructure.

Areas of discussion at the retreat included research spaces, teaching and learning spaces, welcoming and inclusive environment, accessibility, and research and teaching infrastructure. In future editions of this newsletter, we will highlight some of the report’s recommendations with a view to planning for future renewal efforts and getting our physics community further engaged with the future of McLennan Physics. Stay tuned!