The University of Saskatchewan is preparing to begin construction on a new Aboriginal student centre.

Ryan Moccasin with the Indigenous Student Council says the new Gordon Oakes – Red Bear Student Centre is not intended to separate the students from the rest of the population, but to centralize a gathering place.

Moccasin says the Aboriginal students he has spoken with are excited about the project.

He says construction will take three years and is expected to begin next spring.

The centre is being designed by Aboriginal architect Douglas Cardinal, who also created the First Nations University of Canada building in Regina.