With the reopening of the renovated Wilna Thomas building at Ƶ College's Lansdowne campus, students have access to new spaces for study, collaboration, events and Indigenous learning.
Ƶ College
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 evolvingneeds of students," said Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training. "TheWilna Thomas building is at the heart of Ƶ College's Lansdowne campus and providesspaces to relax, collaborate and learn all of which are a vital part of the educationalexperience. This project aligns with our Future Ready work to help students attain the skills andknowledge they need to get in-demand, good-paying jobs."
The Province invested $9.3 million into the renovation project. Ƶ students, staff and faculty have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including a 150-person gathering hall with anattached patio, quiet reflection space and breakout rooms, a new café, Indigenous learningspace, and an Idea Lab for innovation and collaboration with other students. It also includesfive upgraded classrooms, as well as upgraded washrooms, technology, and heating andcooling systems.
"We know investing in new and renovated facilities delivers the best educational experience topost-secondary students and keeps them competitive in the 21st century," said Rob Fleming,MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake. "This project greatly improves students quality of educationthrough 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,originally opened in 1996. For more than 25 years, the facility has served as a learning centrefor health and human services and adult basic education students, as well as a gathering placefor Indigenous, cultural and college-wide events.
"The updates to the Wilna Thomas building align with the longer-term vision of the college bycreating flexible spaces that support collaboration, including a hall for multi-purpose use," saidLane Trotter, president, Ƶ College. "We are grateful that capital funding provided bythe Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training has supported this vision becoming areality that benefits the college Ƶ."
The Wilna Thomas building is unique because it is not dedicated to one school or department. All Ƶ 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,Ƶ College 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 togetherand collaborate."
Investing in upgraded post-secondary facilities is part of StrongerBC's Future Ready Plan. FutureReady is making education and training more accessible, affordable and relevant to helpbusinesses grow and prepare British Columbians for the jobs of tomorrow.
Contact information
Rodney Porter
Communications and MarketingƵ College