If McGill University gets its way, the old Royal Victoria Hospital will be transformed into a world-class, state-of-the-art hub for all things environmental and sustainable development.
McGill's ambitious nearly $700M project would turn the old hospital on Pine Avenue into a pavilion for studies, research and public policy on the thriving fields of environment and sustainable development.
"To really bring together researchers and teachers and students who are currently not working regularly together whether they are from the engineering area or science or humanities, and bring them into this new innovative space with new discovery hubs, conference rooms, state-of-the art labs," said vice principal of communications and external relations Louis Arsenault.
Arsenault said it would help solve their classroom crunch but it would also benefit the non-McGill community.
"We'll also aim at giving back to the mountain as many green spaces as possible," said Arsenault in an interview with CJAD 800 News.
"This will be a great place for Montrealers and visitors to congregate, to enjoy the view, spend some time there, get in contact with McGillians, and exchange on different topics."
McGill is hoping for an answer by summer from the Quebec government which owns the land.