By Sophie Walsh
For many summers, students, staff and faculty of the Information Technology Building (ITB) had been dreaming of their own greenspace where they could gather and relax between working hard and studying. In 2018, their wish came true when Professor Ridha Khedri, department chair, and project coordinator Tina Macala reached out to the Facility Services Grounds department with a vision for this space.
To bring this vision to life, Luke Vlatkovic, head of Grounds, designed a beautiful pergola –– the only one on campus –– tucked into a shady nook outside ITB facing Main Street West.
With 1,700 sq. ft. of interlocking cobblestone, a perimeter of eastern white pines, universal electric boxes and light fixtures located by each table and several spots for wheelchair accessible seating, this space was carefully planned with functionality and tranquility in mind.
Summer grounds students helped bring the project together to assemble the unique geometric picnic tables and Chinese wisteria was planted at the base of the pergola’s beams that has since grown to provide stunning natural shade.
“I would like to thank Fred Bene, equipment operator, who worked alongside me from day one up until the final touch. I would also like to thank Tina Macala, the project coordinator, who supported both of us on this unique outside space for McMaster students,” shares Vlatkovic. “We love to see all of the students and staff members who are enjoying this space.”
With its combination of thoughtful design, natural beauty, and student-focused amenities, the ITB pergola garden stands as a lasting gift to campus life — and a testament to what can be built when students and staff come together with a shared vision.