Premier Campbell Highlights BCIT’s New Expansion To Boost Economy And Employment
Premier Gordon Campbell and Andrew Saxton, MP for North Vancouver today marked the start of construction of BCIT’s $39.4-million Burnaby Campus Gateway Project that will provide students, staff and faculty with an improved learning and working environment.
“This expansion will provide thousands of students with the skills necessary to benefit from British Columbia’s position as Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway,” said Premier Campbell. “This project contributes to our immediate economic recovery by providing jobs now while also helping our young people prepare for the future. I’d like to thank the federal government and BCIT for their partnership in helping make this project a reality.”
The new 6,860-square metre (73,840-sq. ft.) wing of BCIT’s central quad will house 33 new multi-use, exam and project rooms and additional study areas in the atrium. Student services will be moved into the new wing and it will serve as the campus welcoming centre for visitors and prospective students. Lab and classroom space will be renewed in the other three wings and additional faculty offices will be provided. The project includes seismic upgrading, the installation of additional fire suppression sprinklers, upgrades to electrical service and to the campus IT network.
The provincial government’s contribution is $22.75 million, the federal government is contributing $16.3 million and BCIT is contributing $420,000. The project is creating over 250 direct jobs.
“At a time of economic uncertainty, the Government of Canada made a strong commitment to stimulate economic activity through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program,” said Saxton. “This initiative to renew Canada’s post-secondary infrastructure provides needed short-term economic stimulus while building long-term post-secondary educational opportunities.”
“Providing a quality campus environment is an important element in providing a quality learning experience for students,” said Moira Stilwell, Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development. “The Campus Gateway Project ensures BCIT has the infrastructure necessary to continue preparing students to be successful in professions our province depends on.”
During construction, BCIT will provide students with the opportunity for hands-on learning and some of the new features like the new micro or ‘smart’ electrical grid will be used as a teaching tool on an on-going basis. This new, state-of-the-art electricity management system allows power devices to communicate through a central system, to make more informed decisions to optimize power distribution and transmission. Students will be able to monitor campus electrical use in real-time and help develop strategies to change energy consumption.
“We are deeply appreciative of the contributions made by the federal and provincial governments to the capital renewal of BCIT,” said Don Wright, president of BCIT. “This investment will enhance our continuing contribution to the economic, social and environmental prosperity of B.C.”
The new construction is targeted to be registered as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold project. Some of the environmental features include: use of enhanced daylight capture technology, energy efficient heat pumps technology – geo-exchange system plus extensive heat recovery, energy efficient lighting and equipment, use of recycled material and use of a micro-electrical grid.
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.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan sets out to stimulate the Canadian economy over the next two years and to improve the country’s long-term competitiveness through $12 billion in new infrastructure investment, which includes the $2-billion Knowledge Infrastructure Program.
For more information on the provincial government’s three-year job creation plan, visit www.gov.bc.ca/infrastructure . For more information about the federal Knowledge Infrastructure Program visit www.ic.gc.ca/knowledge-infrastructure .
Topics: 2010, Asia Pacific Gateway, BCIT, Burnaby Campus, Canada, Canada’s Economic Action Plan, Canadian, Canadians, college, direct jobs, Economy, education, employment, Governance, government, Government of Canada, job search, moniter, monitor, news, Parliament, province, school, young people
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