The CANMET Materials Technology Laboratory, now located in Ottawa, is scheduled to move to the new Hamilton facility in 2010. About 100 researchers will work in the $60-million facility, which is expected to be a keystone for the park on Longwood Road South.

The interior and exterior designs for the building are expected to be revealed at the ceremony. The laboratory will be immediately south of the innovation park's headquarters, formerly part of an industrial complex belonging to appliance-maker Camco.

McMaster bought the sprawling property in 2005, and plans as many as 14 buildings where up to 3,000 people would work in collaboration between academic, government and private partners.