York U Markham campus doors finally open

York U president Rhonda Lenton seemed relieved and happy to finally see the new York University Markham campus doors open and students filing through the entrance on the way to classes in the state-of-the-art structure.

Markham Mayor Scarpitti, who was in attendance, related the long wait that began almost 11 years ago when York University first expressed interest in expanding its footprint beyond its Toronto Keele Street and Glendon campuses to the 905 and sought proposals from municipalities.

Lenton noted that while the campus, which sits next to the Markham Pan Am Centre at Hwy 407 and Kennedy Rd, will be hosting many Markham community events within its doors, she encouraged the first group of what will eventually become a student body of 4200 to take advantage of everything York offers at other campuses.

“You are part of the whole complex of York University. You have access to all the campuses, all the facilities, Lenton said. “We have buses, as you know, running between the campuses and encourage you to get to know them,” adding that some of the degrees being offered in Markham can be taken at other campuses.

So, with speeches done and workers still putting the finishing touches on a few parts of the building, students made their way to the newest post-secondary classrooms in the province and began their academic careers.

Photo: York University president Rhonda Lenton celebrates the opening of the Markham campus.