Science students in southern Alberta are getting closer to benefiting from new labs and learning spaces at the University of Lethbridge’s Destination Project, as construction work continues both on time and on budget.
“The Destination Project will provide an unparalleled environment for the world-class teaching and research activities undertaken by our faculty,” said Michael Mahon, president, University of Lethbridge. “The building will be an important addition to southern Alberta’s community infrastructure as it will be home to multiple partnerships between the university and industry, small business, public education and the broader community.”
The 37,500-square-metre Destination Project will provide increased teaching and research space and bring together students and faculty from across the university’s many science programs. In addition to offering modern labs and learning spaces, the building will help students and researchers take their ideas from research to market with an incubation space for industry, entrepreneurs and investors, which will boost collaboration and innovation. The project will add 1,876 full-time spaces on campus, and also includes updates to University Hall.
“Not only is the Destination Project an important key to the university’s success, it’s important to the greater Lethbridge community as well,” said Marlin Schmidt, Minister of Advanced Education. “The new centre will allow residents to study world-class science programs close to home and will help attract talented researchers and faculty to the university. Economically, it’s a boon for the community, as the construction of the building supports hundreds of trades workers and labourers.”
The Destination Project represents the largest expansion at the University of Lethbridge in more than 40 years. It is one of seven capital and planning projects for Alberta’s post-secondary system outlined in Budget 2018.
The Government of Alberta is providing $27.2 million in 2018-19 for the project. A total capital investment of $247.7 million, spread over four years, has been committed to the building of the Destination Project, which will replace the overcrowded and outdated science building. Classes are scheduled to begin in the building in September 2019.
