By Megan Lambert (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: September 3, 2014
UFV opened its new location last week at the Five Corners intersection in Chilliwack.
Once a 7,000 square foot Bank of Montreal (BMO) branch, UFV Five Corners will primarily offer continuing education courses.
Situated among businesses in Chilliwack’s downtown core, the university hopes to appeal to those in the area upgrading their basic English, math, and computer skills.
Two new certificate programs — public relations specialist and records management specialist — will be offered in the next semester, as well as career-based workshops and seminars. Along with the City of Chilliwack, UFV hopes its presence will contribute to the revitalization of the downtown area.
“If a university is truly bringing value to its community … it should see one of its goals as working with that community to make [it] a better place,” said Mark Evered, president and vice-chancellor of UFV.
BMO donated the building, which was not an active bank. The Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation (CEPCO) spent $850,000 to renovate the building, which features a circular entrance with tall skylights, pie-shaped classrooms, and ceiling-height windows to allow for natural light.
“We’re excited about a few of these programs and plans to keep the energy and the innovation in downtown Chilliwack,” said Michael E. Bonner, senior vice-president of personal and commercial banking at BMO.
“So we’re very excited about that, and we’re also very excited and looking forward to any UFV grads that we can bring over to BMO. They’ve proven to be great bankers, and leaders in our company, and in our culture.”
Bonner later noted that usually old branches are torn down or sold; however, BMO decided to give the location to UFV for student use.
Craig Toews, executive director of campus planning and resource development, explained there is no connection between the new business-oriented certificates and BMO’s donation.
“It’s all free for service, so it’s not part of the academic portfolio,” Toews said. “The tuition will cover the cost of the structure, the materials, everything. So it’s completely self-sufficient.”
