Media Advisory
Premier, Deputy Mayor celebrate groundbreaking for Bow Valley College’s South Campus
CALGARY, June 24, 2009 – Bow Valley College is building momentum toward the next generation of learners Calgary and region will need to thrive in the ‘knowledge economy’ of the 21st century.
More than 150 guests, faculty, staff, and students watched as Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach and City of Calgary Deputy Mayor Linda Fox-Mellway joined Bow Valley College President and CEO Sharon Carry and Board of Governors Chair Scott Thon today to break ground for construction of the College’s future South Campus building.
Premier Stelmach recognized the contributions the College makes in preparing individuals for the Alberta labour force.
“I am delighted to be here to celebrate the groundbreaking for Bow Valley College’s South Campus, which fulfils part of a promise we made last fall to invest $425 million to create more learning opportunities in Calgary and southern Alberta,” said Premier Stelmach. “This College plays a critical role in providing the well-trained men and women our province needs to compete in the knowledge economy of the 21st century.”
The South Campus building, for which construction begins in August, is part of a multimillion-dollar redevelopment and expansion project, which commenced in 2006 with renovations of the 37-year-old North Campus building. The project, scheduled for completion in 2013, is funded by Alberta Advanced Education and Technology, Alberta Infrastructure, the City of Calgary, and Bow Valley College.
Upon completion of the redevelopment and expansion project, Bow Valley College will double its capacity to 20,000 learners a year.
“Bow Valley College plays a key role in delivering a variety of programming in the Calgary region,” said Doug Horner, Minister of Alberta Advanced Education and Technology. “By working closely with industry and business, the college is a leading example of Campus Alberta. With increased capacity at the College, there will be more opportunities for graduating students to develop the skill sets that employers need.”
Carry said the College is committed to fulfilling the expectations put forth by the Ministry’s Roles and Mandates Policy Framework, which declares Bow Valley College the Comprehensive Community College for Calgary and region.
The South Campus construction is a key component in achieving that goal, she said.
“Bow Valley College is positioning itself to respond to the challenges put forth by the provincial government,” Carry said. “This project allows us to steward the learning needs of the region by offering broad programming and working collaboratively with other education providers, like the University of Lethbridge, to ensure the full range of learning needs within the region are met.
“Ultimately, we are focused on the learners and their needs and, as we move toward completion of the construction project, we are examining closely the ways to expand and broaden our learners’ access to education.”
The $193-million South Campus building provides street-level access from the C-train to career development and placement services, a bookstore, and the Aboriginal Centre.
The seven-floor facility also will house classrooms, study areas and student gathering spaces, executive and administrative offices, plus three floors of expansion space which will be available for use by several academic partners. This afternoon, Bow Valley College will sign a memorandum of understanding with University of Lethbridge to explore opportunities for future use of a portion of space, shared program development, and transfer/articulation agreements.
Bow Valley College’s expansion project also fits appropriately with the City’s redevelopment of the Rivers Project, especially the East Village.
“We welcome the expanded Bow Valley College that makes a significant investment into the revitalization of the East Village,” said Deputy Mayor Linda Fox-Mellway. “We look forward to the development expansion that provides highly respected and recognized educational options in the downtown.”
Note: Representatives from Bow Valley College and University of Lethbridge will sign a memorandum of understanding, paving the way for U of L to locate Calgary operations in South Campus, today at 3:30 p.m. in the second-floor lobby of North Campus. Media are welcome to attend.
BACKGROUNDER
Bow Valley College, with more than 11,000 full- and part-time students, is a leader in health and business career training, adult upgrading, and English as a Second Language. BVC’s Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES), workplace training for immigrant professionals, and employment services provide a wide-range of services for business and professionals.
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| For further information (media only), please contact: |
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Angela MacIsaac, Media Specialist
T: 403-410-1704
C: 403-589-4507
E: amacisaac@bowvalleycollege.ca
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