Council Chambers at McMaster
- Warmly appointed space with large windows (art and furniture)
- Two-step raised stage at the front of the room
- McMaster crested podium
- Large motorized projection screen
- Permanent credenza for presentation of refreshments or materials
- Private foyer arrival area with coat closet
- Private restroom off the foyer
- University telephone in the foyer
- Complimentary WiFi (MacConnect access available with university authentication)
- Moveable furniture and equipment available for set-ups includes:
- Stacking chairs with arms
- Six and five-foot tables
Important Notice: Limited Availability of Council Chambers
Please be advised that the Council Chambers has limited availability and is primarily reserved for University Governance meetings, including those of the Board of Governors, Senate, and their directly reporting committees. As such, the Council Chambers cannot be booked for performances such as music, theatre, singing, dancing, drumming, etc.
Event planners for non-governance and administrative committees are encouraged to reserve alternate campus spaces for their events.
Additionally, bookings for the next academic year will only be accepted after July 1, following the scheduling of Board of Governors and Senate meetings for the upcoming academic year.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Information Box Group
Capacity & Fees
We can accommodate meetings with a maximum of 82 guests with sets of carefully curated pre-set floorplans available to choose from. The foyer doors leading to Gilmour Hall are fire doors and are NOT to be propped open with arms and/or podiums.
- 2023-24 Standard Rate: $458
- Note: The Standard Rate will be increasing to $1,026 on January 1, 2025.
Audio Visual
If a microphone or a/v are required please contact Campus Classroom Technologies (CCT) prior to your event. They can be reached at cct@mcmaster.ca or 905-525-9140 X 22761.
Set-Up
Room set-up by Facility Services is required as a condition of booking Council Chambers. We ask that you please supply us with your Chartfield string to cover the setup charges and you will then receive billing information directly from Facility Services.
Please confirm your preferred setup by emailing gh111@mcmaster.ca no later than 10 days in advance of your event date. Unfortunately due to the nature of the setups, we cannot accept last minute requests to change setup/capacity.
Please note that furniture is not to be removed from the room, nor is outside furniture permitted inside the room (i.e., rentals etc.). The client will be held financially responsible for any loss or damage to furnishings, equipment and facilities incurred as a result of the Special Event.
Food
Catering must be arranged through Hospitality Services. Please contact catering@mcmaster.ca or 905-525-9140 X24836. Council Chambers has a liquor licence for 162 persons.
Keys
Keys can be signed out and returned to Housing and Conference Service Centre located in the lobby of the Commons Building. The Service Centre is open 24/7 for your convenience.
Please pick-up your key the day prior and return it immediately following your event, or the next morning. Clients must ensure that all doors are locked prior to leaving the premises.
Any loss or damage that may occur due to the client’s negligence in this regard will be the sole responsibility of the client.