SAIT alumni make generous donation to trade and technology complex

CALGARY – SAIT’s new trade and technology complex now has ten million more reasons to celebrate.

Two alumni stepped forward on Wednesday to create a legacy for thousands of students following in their footsteps.

David and his wife Barbara Johnson along with Murray and his wife Connie Cobbe donated $5-million each towards the centre.

The pair say they made the donation because they couldn’t have gotten where they are today without the school.

“SAIT was a huge part of my life and my education,” says Murray. “I just see this as a tremendous place where people learn how to go forward if you give them a chance.”

As a thank you, SAIT Polytechnic will name the new building the Johnson-Cobbe Energy Centre. The project, which is currently under construction and set to be completed in 2012, is part of the 750-thousand square foot trade and technology complex that will make room for an additional 8,100 students a year.

David and Murray say the expansion is vital to the city, the province and Alberta’s expanding energy sector.

“For the last three years I am sorry to say SAIT has refused 4-thousand qualified students each year,” says David. “That alone tells you of the need. If we can’t educate them, how are we going to work as a province together?”

The centre itself will be state of the art and built to accommodate the changing needs for students, including social and hands-on learning as well as classroom learning.

“This new model we are bringing into the buildings will demonstrate for generations to come that it is about teamwork,” says Irene Lewis, President and CEO of SAIT. “As we look to expand companies within Alberta and take our business outside of Alberta, one of the things we always struggle with is finding the properly trained employees.”

Thanks to the Johnson’s and Cobbe’s generosity, SAIT has now raised $60-million of the $75-million needed from private donations to complete the $400-million project.

The new complex is one of three new towers under construction at SAIT. The Aldred Centre is named after John and Cheryl Aldred, who donated $15-million earlier this year. A third tower has yet to be named.