Alberta Index - EDUCATION: Province invests $425 million for 5,400 post-secondary spaces at Calgary institutions

EDUCATION: Province invests $425 million for 5,400 post-secondary spaces at Calgary institutions

(AlbertaIndex, September 24, Wednesday) --- The government of Alberta is investing nearly $425 million to create 5,400 more places in Calgary for post-secondary students to access a range of certificate, diploma, degree and apprenticeship programs. The investment will enable three post-secondary institutions to expand their campuses.

Two post-secondary institutions, SAIT Polytechnic and Bow Valley College, will use their portion of the $425 million to significantly expand their facilities and capacity. The third institution, the University of Calgary, is looking to lease space in downtown Calgary to expand their programming capabilities.

The provincial government said its $300 million commitment to SAIT will help build the Trades and Technology Complex adding 3,600 student spaces which will more than double SAIT's capacity in certain sectors of trades and technology.

Another $119 million to Bow Valley College will add three more floors to the Phase 2 expansion project, creating an additional 1,400 spaces for high demand post-secondary programs. Funding of up to $5 million annually to the University of Calgary will be considered to allow the university to lease space for about 400 students in downtown Calgary, which will create opportunities for additional nursing and business students on campus.

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

“This investment is about taking care of Campus Alberta and addressing the demand for post-secondary spaces in the Calgary region,” said Doug Horner, Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. “Guided by the Access Planning Framework, we continually work with all our post-secondary institutions. Together, we are working to ensure that program and capital expansions are aligned with the needs of students, taxpayers and the economy.”

“Increasing capacity will play an important role in building a strong workforce to improve Alberta’s long-term sustainability,” said Jack Hayden, Minister of Infrastructure. “We are pleased about the efficient and creative use of space being developed by these three post-secondary institutions.”

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