Lethbridge College opens 1st phase of trades and technology building

LETHBRIDGE – With hot rods all over the parking lot and a band serenading the large crowd, Lethbridge College was the place to be Wednesday afternoon for the unveiling of the first phase of its state-of-the-art trades and technology building.

The 41,000-square foot building is the first part of a three-year construction project. The facility will house classes within the Crooks School of Transportation, including its technician programs.

“There’s lots of really state-of-the-art equipment in here,” said Lethbridge College president Paula Burns. “We have really gone out and sought to make sure that our students have the best experience possible in their programs.”

It’s a significant upgrade for the college.

“Now we finally have a facility that matches the quality of our instruction and it will really help keep us in the forefront of trades training,” said Lethbridge College chair of Crooks School Transportation, Sheldon Anderson.

Along with housing a plethora of modern equipment, the new building increases the trades and technology programs student capacity by sixty five per cent.

“That’s about 880 spaces for learners that can stay right here in southern Alberta,” said Burns.

Phase two is set to begin this week, and when it’s finished in 2017, the whole trades and technology building will be close to 165,000 square feet.

The total project cost is estimated at close to $70 million.