April 8, 2009 - 9:25am
A new Cowichan Place campus of Vancouver Island University will be built on the old Cowichan Fairgrounds site in Duncan with $26.6 million from the federal and provincial governments and the institution, creating up to 171 direct jobs.
Dr. James Lunney, MP Nanaimo-Alberni and Ron Cantalon, MLA for Nanaimo-Parksville made the announcement Wednesday, April 9 infront of an excited crowd of about 150 students, First Nations guests, community members and VIU employees.
“Vancouver Island University is on the front lines of knowledge transfer,” said Dr. Lunney. “The new campus in Duncan extends the reach of VIU, enabling more students to cross the threshold to higher education closer to home.”
“As Vancouver Island University continues to expand, we are now making quality post-secondary education even more accessible throughout the mid-island region,” said Cantalon. “Our communities are growing and we are meeting the demand for more options in education while creating more jobs towards the construction of this campus.”
Ralph Nilson, VIU President and Vice-Chancellor, thanked both the federal and provincial governments for their investment into the project.
“Through Cowichan Place, Vancouver Island University and our partners will improve access to post-secondary education and educational services for the people of the Cowichan Valley,” said Nilson. “This new centre represents the opportunities that can be realized when community partners work together for the benefit of their citizens. On behalf of our Board of Governors, I would like to thank all the community members who have supported this project in moving forward. We are proud to be a part of this important community initiative.”
The investment in the new Cowichan Place is part of the federal government’s two-year, $2-billion plan to repair and expand research and educational facilities at Canadian post-secondary institutions. The BC Knowledge Infrastructure Program is helping to provide economic stimulus and promote employment by creating jobs for engineers, architects, tradespeople and technicians. In BC, the federal government is providing up to 50 percent of the cost of selected projects on a cost-share basis with the Province.
The Province has contributed $2.4-million to buy 3.2 hectares of the 10-hectare fairgrounds for the new campus. It will replace leased space with a new 3,500 square metre building, which will accommodate students enrolled in university degree, business, health and human services, trade and applied technology, career and academic preparation, and employability skills programs.
The original Cowichan campus opened many years ago and consisted of a few classrooms offering evening classes. A two classroom operation opened on Evans Street in 1975, followed by the opening of Malaspina University-College campus at 222 Cowichan Way in 1987.
The Cowichan Place project represents the largest project ever undertaken on behalf of VIU, or the former Malaspina University-College, Nilson said. Discussions for the new campus have been underway since 2003. Partners in the project include VIU, the Cowichan School District, Cowichan Valley Regional District, District of North Cowichan and City of Duncan.
To ensure the new campus provides relevant, responsive and innovative programs and services to the people of the Cowichan Valley, Nilson said a detailed consultation process on the design and scope of the new facility will take place with the involvement of First Nations, employers , students, the school district and community at large.
Ground is scheduled to be broken for the new campus in July 2009, and up to 171 direct jobs will be created by the $26.6-million project.
Tags: In the Community
