SAIT gets $20M boost to upgrade older buildings and training in how to build new ones

The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology will use more than $20 million in federal funding to upgrade two older buildings while also improvingits trainingin how to build new, moreenvironmentally friendly ones.

"It's our goal to be front and centre in that emerging sector," SAIT president and CEO David Ross said of the green construction field.

"We want to support local companies, support students so they can find careers in that sector, and this money is going to support that."

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Federal Science MinisterKirsty Duncan announced the funding Wednesday, saying the money will support SAIT faculty and students by giving them "the tools they need to think, train, collaborate and succeed."

"When it comes to doingexcellent research, there is no substitute for having well equipped facilities," she said.

A portion of the funds will be directed toSAIT'sGreen Building Technologies Lab and Demonstration Centre, while other portions will be used forupgrades at the John Ware Building and and the Senator Burns Building.

Combined, the projects are expected to employ about 270 people at any given time during the course of construction.

Ross said the funding is particularly welcome as SAIT prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

"It's the start of our second hundred years in only a few days and this money will really launch us into that second century," he said.

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