The next major capital construction project to expand learning resources on the campus of Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops has been given the green light with the announcement today of funding approval from the Ministry of Advanced Education.
With a commitment of $18 million from government, the TRU Board of Governors has approved the business plan for funding the balance of the $29.3 million project that will incorporate the new library, the learning commons, and space for Aboriginal programs and services. The TRU Board of Governors has decided that the new facility will be known as The House of Learning.
The overall size of the new building is approximately 58,000 sq. ft., providing expanded library, study and learning space that includes a tiered lecture theatre, and various dedicated spaces. It will also be the first TRU facility to be LEED Gold Certified.
The new building will provide a significant addition to library and learning space for all students on campus, and also incorporate features and facilities to enhance the learning needs of Aboriginal students. Within the House of Learning, the concept of a learning commons will allow for more student group work and social interaction.
With new space for expanding the library collection and student access to information through technology, the project also includes the creation of more space for quiet study and research in the existing library facility.
TRU President and Vice-chancellor Roger Barnsley expressed his delight that this much anticipated addition to the academic life of the campus is moving ahead.
“Not only will the House of Learning project significantly change and enhance the educational opportunities for students on our Kamloops campus,” said Barnsley. “It will mark TRU as a leader as we become the university of choice for environmental sustainability, Aboriginals and First Nations and for student engagement.”
Ron Olynyk, Chair of the TRU Board of Governors, expressed the Boards’appreciation for the generous support of the Ministry of Advanced Education and the British Columbia government for this important project.
Preliminary timelines for the project would plan to see some initial ground work begin later this year on the building site on the campus common, just east of the Campus Activity Centre, with a preliminary target completion date of Winter, 2010.
