Hundreds attend Sudbury architecture school launch

About 300 people came out to witness the opening of the Laurentian University School of Architecture in Sudbury on Wednesday.

Those connected to the project said they are thrilled with the renovated buildings and its downtown location.

But one person said he felt uncomfortable with the tracks so close to the new school and was worried about an accident.

"It's just very close to the train tracks. Look whathappened in Quebec," said passerby Guy Buredos.

A former tenant of the building when it was a farmer's market said he didn't like the idea of that location for the schooleither at first.

The farmer's market was moved down the road after the Elgin Street building was sold to Laurentian University for $3.3 million in 2011.

But artist Larson Heinonen said he is coming around to the idea of having the school there instead.

"I know it will have a positive effect on downtown businesses, but I don't know how much it will affect them," he said.

"At first I was not too happy about being kicked out of the market as a vendor, after it became apparent and became a done deal, [but now] I'm quite happy and quite enthused to see how it impacts downtown."

Mayor Marianne Matichuk thanked councillors for making the "difficult" decision to sell the property to Laurentian University and emphasized how great she thinksit is to have the school in the heart of the city.