Saanich has given the green light to Camosun College for the construction of its $30-million Centre for Trades Education and Innovation at Interurban Campus.
The 80,000-square-foot building will be built to LEED gold standards and include marine and metal trades,welding, sheet metal, metal fabrication and shipbuilding.
The designer is B+H Architects Inc. The tender will go out shortly and will close in late February, with construction set to begin before March.
“This new facility will help propel our region to the forefront of trades education and innovation,” said Peter Lockie, vice-president of administration and chief financial officer at Camosun College. “Graduates will emerge with the latest in-demand skills; employers will have their pick of well-qualified, job-ready workers; and Camosun will continue to strengthen its role as a key economic driver.”
The $30-million project will also allow Camosun to repurpose the Jack White Trades Building as a Sustainable Construction and Renewable Energy Trades Centre for electrical, plumbing and pipe trades, and future renewable energy programs; repurpose the John Drysdale Trades Building by expanding space for research and innovation services for industry, as well as space for carpentry and joinery trades; expand yard space for student construction projects and outdoor storage; and provide electrical upgrades to existing trades buildings.
Camosun is the largest provider of trades training on Vancouver Island and the second largest in B.C. after BCIT on the Lower Mainland. The college currently trains more than 2,200 students each year in 20 different trades.