CANTON -- SUNY Canton students will compete in a raft race on the Grasse River to secure their first choice of rooms in SUNY Canton's newest residence hall as part of the College's Suite Construction Celebration.

The event will be commemorating the construction of the Grasse River Housing Suites and will begin at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 15, at the construction site on Cornell Drive adjacent to the University Police building. The celebration is free and open to the public.

"It will be our unique way to mark the momentous project and commemorate what it will mean for our College," SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy said. "Following the opening of our new athletic complex this spring, it is the next biggest thing at our College and will allow us continue our dramatic growth and progress."

"In addition to the raft races, members of our student government will be assembling a time capsule to be built into the building," said Michael J. Perry, executive director of the College Association and director of student activities. "We are celebrating the latest progress during our Fall Festival line-up of student events."

Construction of the new 304-room residence hall began earlier this summer with a completion date of August 2011. The residence hall will be for upper class students and current plans include a mini-store, multi-purpose classroom, meeting space, and a large open courtyard for recreation and outdoor activities.

"We've seen explosive growth in enrollment numbers, especially in our four-year programs, and we expect the trend to continue," said Vice President for Advancement David M. Gerlach. "The addition of this new residence hall is critical to the growth of our college as we add degree programs and welcome more four-year students to our community."

Total project costs are currently estimated at approximately $22 million for the LEED Silver Certified building. Northland Associates of Liverpool will be heading up the project, its third simultaneous construction project at SUNY Canton. They are currently working on the College's Roos House, otherwise known as the Convocation, Athletic and Recreation Center, as well as overhauling Nevaldine Technology Center.

For more information about the Suite Construction Celebration, contact the SUNY Canton Foundation, 315.386.7127 or email rowleya@canton.edu.