With the approach of the new academic year, Lethbridge College is taking a glimpse towards 2017, when the second phase of the state-of-the-art trades and technologies facility will welcome its first students.
“Phase two is currently on schedule and on budget,” says Lethbridge College project manager Francis Rankin. “We’re excited for construction to be completed by next summer and are looking forward to the first students moving in next August.”
Groundbreaking for the second phase of the facility took place in October 2015 and construction is now well underway. Currently much of the focus is on completing the roof, allowing for interior work to take place throughout the winter. The majority of the block work on the walls has already been completed and glazing is scheduled to begin by early September.
Weather that was both warmer and dryer than normal last winter allowed the project to make major headway, with concrete being poured in January and February. Although July and August have been wet, the weather hasn’t created any major issues in the construction timeline.
"As the construction manager for Lethbridge College's trades and technologies facility, Stuart Olson is thrilled to report that phase two construction is on schedule and progressing exceptionally well," says Spencer Calhoun, project manager with Stuart Olson construction. "Structural concrete is now complete and the erection of the remaining structural steel and glue-laminated beams and columns will be finalized later this month.”
Calhoun added: “over the past several weeks, the team has commenced sealing in phase two - roofing along the north periphery of the project and building the curtain wall adjacent to the Andrews Building fire lane. Our collective goal is to have phase two elements closed in prior to Christmas 2016, making way for completion of the building's internal elements and turnover slated for summer 2017. I am very pleased with the collaborative efforts of the entire project team; the trades and technologies facility is well on its way to becoming an innovative, state-of-the-art facility for Lethbridge College's students, faculty and industry."
Once completed, the 168,300-square-foot building will house the Engineering Design and Drafting, Interior Design Technology, Wind Turbine Technician, Electrician Apprenticeship Training and Welder Apprenticeship Training programs.
The first phase of the trades and technologies facility opened to students in August 2015. Scores of Lethbridge College alumni have been involved in the project’s construction since the project’s groundbreaking in 2014. Once completed, it will be the largest trades and technologies training facility south of Calgary.
Fundraising for the construction of both phases of the new facility was launched by a visionary $2 million gift from Art and Mary Jane Crooks. These efforts were then bolstered by other major gifts to the Possibilities are Endless campaign. For more information on the new trades and technologies facility, visit the Lethbridge College website.