TERRACE, B.C. — Major construction work at Terrace’s Coast Mountain College is generating opportunities for local workers and students, B.C. government officials say.
The province stated an estimated 318 jobs have been created locally on work to build 108 student housing beds, a library renovation and a renewed, more accessible academic and registration hub.
“These projects will not only deliver upgraded learning spaces for students in Terrace and surrounding communities, but also create good jobs for local workers with benefits flowing to their families and into the local area as well,” said Anne Kang, minister of advanced education and skills training, in a statement. “It’s exciting to think of the collaborations, learning and personal growth that will be inspired inside the walls of these new facilities when they are complete.”
The province is contributing $345 million towards the projects and the college is paying $1 million towards student housing.
As part of the overall $34 million investment, the province announced $4.4 million last June to go towards library renewal. Officials said this project was especially important as a flood in 2018 damaged the basement of the Spruce Building (Waap Sa’mn).
“I can’t wait to see the response of our students, communities, staff and faculty to these incredible renovations and new spaces,” said Justin Kohlman, president of Coast Mountain College. “These provincial investments will ensure our students will have leading-edge experiential learning provided in a unique learning environment that honours our region.”
Work on the library renovation is expected to wrap up this summer. It is co-ordinated with renovations to the two floors above where the main-entry registration hubs, learning space and faculty/administrative offices will be. These renovations are expected to be completed for fall 2022.
In addition, 108 new student housing beds, including one Elder suite and two visitor suites, are set to be ready for students in fall 2021.
The $9 million upgrades to the top two floors of the Spruce Building (Waap Sa’mn) include an accessible focal-point entryway with automatic doors, improvements to front-of-house services, including computers, registration counter and staff offices, more flexible learning spaces, reconfigured faculty and administrative spaces, and an upgrade of the building’s HVAC, electrical and mechanical systems.
The Gitxsan, Haisla, Haida, Tsimshian, Nisga’a, Wet’suwet’en and Métis Nation are in Coast Mountain College’s service area. Art and input from the local First Nations people will be incorporated into the various project designs.
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