Ideas sought for Travel Cuts replacement

Dina Fanara

Assistant News Editor

The Travel Cuts location at McMaster closed its doors in the Student Centre (MUSC) not long before the end of first term. Now, it’s space next to Union Market is up for grabs.

When Travel Cuts closed, it promised students that its services would still be offered from an alternate location.

Travel Cuts been in existence on campuses throughout Ontario since the 1950s, and was owned for the majority of that time by the Canadian Federation of Students, a student lobbying group, with the goal of providing discounted travel rates for students.

According to McMaster Student Union (MSU) president Matthew Dillon-Leitch, Travel Cuts made the decision not to renew their lease contract with the University, as they are currently in the process of downsizing. They are removing their on-campus locations from several other schools as well.

The MUSC management team is currently receiving proposals from prospective businesses and services who have interest in renting the 500-square-foot space.

Ideas are pouring in for what should go in place of Travel Cuts. But as Dillon-Leitch pointed out, “there are restrictions in the student centre on what we are and are not allowed to place.”

Rarely do students have an opportunity to give their opinion on such an important matter, admits Dillon-Leitch. “It’s a fun chance to get it right.”

A decision facing the MSU is whether they want the space to house a business of their own creation or to allow the space to be leased to a private vendor. The first option involves financial risk, while the later forgoes any potential profit or significant control.

Prior to the final decision being made, Dillon-Leitch would like to launch some further initiatives to find out what students would like to see in the place of Travel Cuts.

Suggestions include retail, a food outlet, a grocery store, banking locations, extra seating space and a coffee shop. Student input will help differentiate between the proposals set forth, or drive management to search for further options.