New homes helping Lethbridge College’s TTRIP project

A new trades building is on the horizon for Lethbridge College and two new homes are helping to keep that plan in sight.

“That building has outlived its lifespan and it doesn’t have much time left,” said the college’s Development Officer, Sandra Dufresne. “So to see the extraordinary commitment of local home builders and business owners is going to make that dream a reality for Lethbridge.”

For the next five years Canadian Home Builders Association members, their suppliers and trades people will build two homes per year, with the proceeds from the sales of those homes going towards the college’s Trades and Technology Renewal and Innovation Project.

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“What it takes for our sales, is we got 45 to 50 trades and suppliers that are they’re giving either their time, or they’re supplying flooring or whatever for free or reduced cost,” said Galko Homes Sales and Marketing Manager John Jacobson.

The inaugural houses, built by Galko and Ashcroft, are making their debut during the annual Parade of Homes, and it’s no coincidence that both are built within two brand new subdivisions, a sign of Lethbridge’s growth. Growth that all members of the partnership hope will continue, through investment.

“With the new trades facility when it’s built, the college will be able to put through double the students of what they do right now in the trades,” said Jacobson. “For our industry that’s phenomenal because there’s less and less folks out there. There’s a trades shortage.”

The program will not only help raise money it also benefits students who get to work on the homes. The college says by offering new students a better education building the homes will come full circle.

“We need to train our people locally,” said Dufresne. “If we train them locally, then they’ll stay here and when they stay here, they’re going to buy homes.”

Builders say the sale of each home could bring in up to $100, 000 for the college’s TTRIP plan building towards their five year goal of one million dollars.