The continuing construction on California Avenue and a two-month province-wide strike by the International Union of Elevator Constructors will push back the opening of the new campus parking structure until the end of September, says Anna Kirby, executive director of Campus Services.

City upgrades to California south of Wyandotte Street include new sewers and the complete rebuilding of the road surface directly outside the entrance to the new garage, and are not expected to be completed until sometime in September, Kirby said.

“The elevator strike has meant we have not been able to finalize the building’s elevators, holding up our occupancy due to fire regulations,” she said. “The construction of the building itself, including the adjacent Innovation Centre, is pretty much on schedule.”

Due to the delay, Parking Services is asking permit holders among faculty and staff to remain in their present lots for the time being. Existing cards and permits will continue to function in their current spots until a date is confirmed for the move to the new locations assigned earlier this summer.

Students who have purchased permits for the parking garage will be able to access spots on the ground floor during September.

“We have been assured that students can use these spots because there would be no elevator issues,” Kirby said. “It is limited space but enough to accommodate the students who have already purchased their permits.”

She explained that Parking Services had no other spots available for those students, while employees can continue to use their current spaces until all necessary preparations are completed for their move.