Premier Stelmach announces funding for South Campus of Bow Valley College

Government of Alberta funding will open 3,500 learning spaces at Bow Valley College, creating the opportunity to prepare more work-ready graduates for the Alberta labour force.

Premier Ed Stelmach, along with Advanced Education and Technology Minister Doug Horner, today announced funding for three capital projects in Calgary’s post-secondary education system—at Bow Valley College (BVC), Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, and University of Calgary.

“By investing in these three post-secondary projects today, we are creating opportunities long into the future for thousands of Alberta students,” Premier Stelmach said. “We continue to act on government’s priorities and those laid out in our 20-year strategic capital plan.”

The Government of Alberta committed $119 million to BVC, adding three more floors to the College’s South Building expansion project, which will add 1,400 new spaces to the planned 2,100—for a total of 3,500 spaces upon completion.

This announcement brings the government’s total funding of Phase II expansion to $170 million.

“This funding ensures more Calgarians will have access to the fast, focused, and flexible education they need to develop their skills and enter the labour force,” said Sharon Carry, BVC President and CEO. “Our expansion project, which allows for redevelopment of our North Campus and construction of a second building on the south side of Sixth Avenue, guarantees a state-of-the-art environment for learning in the heart of downtown Calgary.”

The expansion project, for which BVC committed $10 million of its own funds, will double the College’s capacity for full-load equivalent (FLE) seats to 7,000, with 6,300 located in Calgary.

The seven-storey, 25,000-square-metre building will stand on the block where the former Provincial Courts building stands. Demolition currently is underway and expected to be complete in October.

Redevelopment of the North Campus building began in 2006. Construction of the South Campus building is expected to start in October 2008, once the demolition of the former Provincial Courts building is complete.

The South Campus will house classrooms; the College’s external career and employment services; the Registrar’s Office; a child development centre; executive, administration, and support staff offices; a cafeteria; and, an expanded bookstore.

“An expanded Bow Valley College campus will create opportunities to reach out to and interact with a greater number of learners, making that first step on an escalator to success even more accessible to people who often do not get the chance,” said Carry. “Thank you to our Premier and Minister for their leadership on expanding post-secondary education access.”

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.



For more information please contact:
Angela MacIsaac, Media Relations Specialist
T: 410-1704 C: 589-4507
E: amacisaac@bowvalleycollege.ca