VIU breaks ground on new $26.6 million Cowichan campus

DUNCAN – Construction is set to begin on Vancouver Island


University’s new $26.6-million Cowichan Place campus in Duncan,


following an official groundbreaking today by provincial, federal and


college officials. The project will create up to 170 direct jobs.

“This is another exciting milestone for Vancouver Island University


as it continues to grow into its new status as a fully accredited


university,” said Moira Stilwell, Minister of Advanced Education and


Labour Market Development. “This partnership with the federal


government and VIU, demonstrates what can be achieved when we all work


together.”

“Vancouver Island University is an institution committed to


providing excellence in advanced training and education for Vancouver


Island students and those from far off,” said Nanaimo-Alberni MP James


Lunney. “The expanded Cowichan Campus will be a great new platform to


meet the needs of a growing population for years to come.”

The new campus, at over 3,500 square metres, will be located in the


Cowichan Place development and serve students enrolled in university


degree, business, health and human services, trade and applied


technology, career and academic preparation and employability skills


programs. 

Cowichan Place is a development that in addition to the new VIU


campus will have facilities operated by the City of Duncan, the


District of North Cowichan, and the Cowichan Valley School District.


The site will be a focal point for education, recreation and culture in


the Cowichan Valley.

“Our government is making record


investments in post-secondary institutions and ensuring we have


learning facilities in all regions so that students are able to stay


closer to home,” said Ron Cantelon, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum. “Not


only does this reduce the cost of education for students, but it


creates a pool of skilled workers for local communities.”

The Cowichan Place campus is part of the federal government’s


two-year, $2-billion Knowledge Infrastructure Program whose goal is to


repair and expand research and educational facilities at Canadian


post-secondary institutions.

This is one of 40 projects at post-secondary institutions across the


province funded through a joint federal-provincial investment of $497


million. The total investment in these projects is $519 million


including contributions from institutions.

This project is also part of an overall $14-billion capital


infrastructure program supported by the Province that will create up to


88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region


of B.C.

“Both the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada


have sent a strong message of support to the people of the Cowichan


Valley. This new campus signals optimism and hope for the future of the


learners living in this spectacular part of our Province,” said Dr


Ralph Nilson, president and vice-chancellor of VIU. “On behalf of the


Board of Governors at Vancouver Island University, I would like to


thank all of the community members who have supported the Cowichan


Place Project as it has moved forward.”

Canada’s Economic Action Plan sets out to stimulate the Canadian


economy over the next two years and to improve our long-term


competitiveness through $12 billion in new infrastructure investment,


which includes the $2-billion Knowledge Infrastructure Program.