Lethbridge College will soon be home to a new building that will allow the college to hold more students than ever before.
In the fall of 2017, the college will increase space for trades students by up to 65 per cent.
The Trades and Technology Renewal and Innovation Project (TTRIP) is a new trades and technology wing that will be added to the college by 2017.
Construction has already begun on this project and is set to be completed in the fall semester of 2017, which collides with the college’s 60th anniversary as well as Canada’s 150th.
“Well 2017 is going to be a big year, having the colleges anniversary, Canada’s and as well as the University of Lethbridge. There will be a lot going on that year,” said Michel Bechard, Lethbridge College’s executive director of public relations and communications.
TTRIP costs $65 million and is being paid for by a campaign called the possibilities are endless.
This campaign has a goal of $103 million and has paid for things such as the Kodiaks residence building, student awards and the learning commons that will be built, It also produces money for emerging
The $65 million needed to build TTRIP came from the provinciala government that funded $55 million while the college has raised $6 million, with $4 million still needed.
A lot of money has been raised for this project from fundraisers like the $200,000 raised from the annual wine auction.
But the most notable donation came from Art and Mary Jane Crooks who wanted to give to the college because they have been so impressed with the graduates of the college. The Crooks, in conjunction with a portion from Alberta’s access to the future fund, donated $2 million dollars to the school and the project.
This generous partnership created the Crooks School of Transportation where all of the automotive trades programs will be hosted and it will be the first phase of TTRIP.
“This building won’t only be for trades students, it will be for everyone,” said Development Officer Oliver Twizell
There will also be a new area built where students can sit and study, chat and enjoy their lunch between classes.
TTRIP is a significant structure adding 165,270 square feet hosting eight trades areas and four technology programs.
Construction of the building began on April 24th, 2014 and is visible through a live stream camera posted near the construction site. To check it out visit http://www.lethbridgecollege.ca/the-possibilities-are-endless.
