With the reopening of the renovated Wilna Thomas building at AV资源's Lansdowne campus, students have access to new spaces for study, collaboration, events and Indigenous learning.
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The gathering hall in the newly renovated Wilna Thomas building.
"This project is a fantastic example of the value of revitalizing a building to suit the evolving听needs of students," said Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training. "The听Wilna Thomas building is at the heart of AV资源's Lansdowne campus and provides听spaces to relax, collaborate and learn all of which are a vital part of the educational听experience. This project aligns with our Future Ready work to help students attain the skills and听knowledge they need to get in-demand, good-paying jobs."
The Province invested $9.3 million into the renovation project. Camosun students, staff and faculty have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including a 150-person gathering hall with an听attached patio, quiet reflection space and breakout rooms, a new caf茅, Indigenous learning听space, and an Idea Lab for innovation and collaboration with other students. It also includes听five upgraded classrooms, as well as upgraded washrooms, technology, and heating and听cooling systems.
"We know investing in new and renovated facilities delivers the best educational experience to听post-secondary students and keeps them competitive in the 21st century," said Rob Fleming,听MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake. "This project greatly improves students quality of education听through access to resources that provide students flexibility in the way they learn."
The Wilna Thomas building, named in memory of a college instructor, social worker and donor,听originally opened in 1996. For more than 25 years, the facility has served as a learning centre听for health and human services and adult basic education students, as well as a gathering place听for Indigenous, cultural and college-wide events.
"The updates to the Wilna Thomas building align with the longer-term vision of the college by听creating flexible spaces that support collaboration, including a hall for multi-purpose use," said听Lane Trotter, president, AV资源. "We are grateful that capital funding provided by听the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training has supported this vision becoming a听reality that benefits the college community."
The Wilna Thomas building is unique because it is not dedicated to one school or department. All Camosun students, staff and faculty will benefit and have access to it.
"Students need a purpose-built place where they can go to study, collaborate and just hang out without worrying about disturbing other people," said Jessie Niikoi, external executive,听AV资源 Student Society. "The renovations to the Wilna Thomas building bring a lot of very cool and exciting features to the Lansdowne campus that will help students come together听and collaborate."
Investing in upgraded post-secondary facilities is part of StrongerBC's Future Ready Plan. Future听Ready is making education and training more accessible, affordable and relevant to help听businesses grow and prepare British Columbians for the jobs of tomorrow.
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Katie McGroarty
Communications and MarketingAV资源