Over the next three years, an exciting addition to MacEwan University's campus in downtown Edmonton will rise on the corner of 109 Street and 105 Avenue.
Construction of the new School of Business building is officially underway after a groundbreaking ceremony on the site. (From left: John Day, MacEwan Means Business campaign co-chair; Rob Seidel, MacEwan Means Business campaign co-chair; Nate Horner, Finance Minister and President of Treasury Board; Joseph La Torre, VP Governance and Finance, Students' Association of MacEwan University; Dr. Annette Trimbee, president and vice-chancellor, MacEwan University; Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education; Amarjeet Sohi, mayor, city of Edmonton; Carolyn Graham, chair, MacEwan University Board of Governors; Peter Osborne, CEO, GEC Architecture; Russell Zirnhelt, executive vice president, Ledcor Construction Limited)
The new School of Business received $125 million in funding support from the Government of Alberta.
"Investing $125 million over four years to develop a new school of business at MacEwan University is a major component of our government's plan to create opportunities for students in high-demand fields," says Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education. "Breaking ground on this vital project marks a significant milestone for MacEwan, the 7,500 additional students it will accommodate and our continuing work to revitalize Edmonton's downtown core."
As work proceeds on the site, the public will be able to witness the progress of construction of the seven-storey building with its main entrance facing north, bridging the downtown and communities and social service agencies on the north edge.
"Not only is MacEwan University an important post-secondary institution, but watching its growth as an essential part of Edmonton's downtown has been exciting and inspiring," says Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. "The School of Business building will be a place where expertise and knowledge is shared with students who will go on to help grow the economy and contribute to their community. I look forward to watching this new addition to the downtown take shape over the next few years."
While this new addition to MacEwan's downtown campus will greatly benefit all students, those enrolled in business programs will be able to enhance their studies through features like a trading simulation lab and a new supply chain program.
"Building a new home for MacEwan's School of Business is an important step forward in growing our campus to accommodate 30,000 students by 2030," says Dr. Annette Trimbee, president and vice-chancellor. "We are developing the talent required to ensure the vibrancy and economic prosperity of our community, our city and our province. We are extending our infrastructure in a way that translates into research, community partnerships, business collaborations and connections that meet industry needs."
The MacEwan Means Business capital campaign committee includes many volunteers from the local business community, all of them working together to raise an additional $25 million dollars to help build the new home for the School of Business.
"The fact that MacEwan is embedded in the heart of downtown creates a different energy and mentality here," says Rob Seidel, co-chair of the committee and Canada Managing Partner, DLA Piper. "This university is a convenor of people. Not only does it shape the leaders of tomorrow, but it invites current business leaders, community builders, students and faculty and government together to generate new ideas, build new leaders and solve real-world problems."
The new home for the School of Business will provide 35,000 square metres of additional space and include 30 classrooms, 20 collaboration spaces and 15 study spaces. The building will bring 7,500 more students, faculty and staff into Edmonton's downtown each day supporting crucial revitalization efforts in our core.
A video representation of what the School of Business building will look like when it's complete can be found here and much more information can be found at the MacEwan Means Business webpage.
