New Signal Hill Campus Peaks Industry Interest

Signal Hill Campus
Signal Hill Campus
Advertisement

Reporter: Jacob A. Laybolt

Atop the scenic Signal Hill, a sightseer can view many of the grand features which St. John’s has to offer. For several decades this perch was once considered a home away from home to tourists lodged at The Battery Hotel. Now however, the spot offers its accommodations to a new sort of crowd. As of September 29th,2018, the complex has been officially reopened as Memorial University’s Signa lHill Campus following a full completion of renovations after the property sale in 2013.

The campus seeks to maintain many of the previous hosting elements with regards to conventions, conferences, and socials while also providing lodging to guests and graduate students of the University itself. The campus intends to operate year-round with the intent of accommodating graduate students from September to April and providing openings to visitors from May to August.

Memorial University has also made it clear that they intend to respect the property’s provincial history, going so far as to consult with the public of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2014. According to the university, this helped create an acceptable establishment with a genuine interest in the community and a contribution to local industry. Specifically,the campus houses four units with heavy public engagement. These include the Genesis Group, which specializes in new firm start-ups, the Gardiner Centre,offering a variety of training programs relating to business, the Harris Centre, fulfilling an ambassadorial role to meeting the province’s needs, and the Office of Public Engagement, which ensures all these aspects by coordinating activities.

Advertisement

Additionally, many of these tasks were made possible by a contribution from Halifax energy company, Emera Inc. The $7 million worth of funding has designated the new Innovation Centre to be named after the group. As a result, the Signal Hill Campus is set to become a large component of professional opportunity and business generation in the St. John’s area, and possibly even the entire province. Entering its first year the campus has boldly presented itself at a high peak of the city. However, only time will tell if it may match the expectations held, and the height of its environment.

Advertisement
Jacob Laybolt
Jake is a graduate student, currently studying Employment Relations. In 2023, he completed his Honours BA in Political Science. He has worked with the Muse since 2018, covering student politics, labour organizing, and campus activism.