2005 News Releases
| October 20, 2005 |  |
Bow Valley College receives $47 million for major redevelopment
Government funds significant capacity increase for transition programs
Calgary... The Alberta government is contributing $47 million from this year's surplus to Bow Valley College to support a major redevelopment at the downtown campus. The project will create hundreds more spaces in programs that prepare people for successful transitions into the post-secondary system and the workforce. Bow Valley College will contribute the remaining $5 million towards the project's total cost of nearly $52 million.
"Bow Valley College does an outstanding job of helping prepare adults for post-secondary education, successful careers, and productive lives. The college's commitment to the community is enhancing the Advanced Education and Technology landscape and the skilled workforce in Calgary and southern Alberta," said Premier Ralph Klein. "This capital investment is one example of how the province is using the surplus to build Alberta's future. It is also part of government's bigger commitment of making higher learning more accessible for all Albertans, especially those currently underrepresented in the system."
The redevelopment of the existing downtown campus will allow the college to consolidate student support services and increase capacity to accommodate at least 600 more students. The addition of a new exterior shell around the downtown campus will make the building more energy efficient, brighter and, overall, a more welcoming learning environment for students. The project is expected to be complete in Sept. 2008.
"Bow Valley College is committed to building a 21st century campus to meet the learning needs of students now and in the decades ahead. This expansion will allow us to play a significant role in creating a solution for post-secondary access in downtown Calgary," said Sharon Carry, CEO of Bow Valley College. "As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we take great pride in knowing the Government of Alberta is as excited about increasing Alberta's learning opportunities as we are."
A total of $614 million has been allocated for Alberta's post-secondary institutions under the Government of Alberta's 2005-08 Capital Plan, an increase of $145 million since Budget 2005 was announced in April. This announcement is part of the Alberta government's three-part plan to invest in the future using this year's surplus. More than 75 per cent of surplus dollars are being spent in priority areas like infrastructure, and saved in endowment funds like the Heritage Savings Fund. A smaller part of the surplus - between $1.3- and $1.4 billion - will be given back to Albertans through the 2005 Resource Rebate Program.
Surplus dollars invested in infrastructure this year are in addition to the province's $9.2-billion, three-year capital plan, a commitment unmatched in the rest of Canada. For more information on how government is managing the surplus visit www.gov.ab.ca
Backgrounder
Quick facts
Capital funding for post-secondary institutions
- The province's 2005-08 capital plan includes $614 million for post-secondary institutions. This includes new funding of $145 million over three years for additional projects, announced on August 29.
- Of the $145 million, $30 million is designated for select infrastructure maintenance projects which address urgent preservation projects throughout the post-secondary system. Projects selected will include those that relate to health and life safety issues, and those necessary to avoid serious program delivery disruption.
Bow Valley College
- Bow Valley College serves more than 10,000 learners each year in Calgary, and at locations throughout southern Alberta. In addition, the College provides career planning and assessment services to thousands of Albertans each year.
- The College offers a variety of programs, including:
- Business and industry certificates and diplomas
- Health and community care certificates and diplomas
- Academic upgrading/high school programs
- English as a Second Language
- Aboriginal programs
- International education
- Continuing education
- Employability and essential skills development
- Career development services
- Bow Valley College, formerly known as Alberta Vocational College - Calgary, was established in 1965, making this year its 40th anniversary.
