Thirst for Knowledge: Construction continues on Centre For Food

It’s only a matter of time before everyone will get to see what they’ve been cooking up at the Center for Food (CFF). After more than three years, the CFF located at Durham College’s Whitby campus, is in its final phase of construction and on track to hitting its scheduled date of completion.

Opening this September, the state-of-the-art facility will accommodate more than 900 students pursuing careers in sectors such as hospitality, tourism, culinary, agriculture and horticulture.

This 36,000-square-foot establishment will be stocked with a full-service, green-certified teaching restaurant, retail store featuring student-made edibles, lecture theatre complete with cooking equipment, lounge, classrooms, meeting spaces and a living hotel lab.

As the official fall opening of the new building approaches, Michelle Darling, manager, Planning and Project Management, says it’s an eventful time to be a part of the building of the CFF.

“Lots of exciting ideas are being presented by faculty in support of the academic programs that will be delivered in the Centre for Food,” she said.

Aside from some environmental challenges of high winds and rain, all has gone off without a hitch.

“It speaks to the quality and care that went into the installation and co-ordination of the construction of the site,” said Darling.

This far into phase three, the curtain wall framing, ductwork, plumbing, sprinklers fire protection and basement are 90 per cent complete, with delivery of freezers and coolers not far behind.