By Dessa Bayrock (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: January 9, 2013
After opening a new building at Canada Education Park just last year, adding another new campus to UFV’s list of locations wasn’t exactly on the to-do list. But the Bank of Montréal (BMO) in Chilliwack had other (and more altruistic) ideas.
After moving the location to a new branch, the Bank of Montréal decided to donate their downtown Chilliwack space to UFV. This new campus—renamed UFV Plaza—will become another location for university classes and workshops.
This donation is valued at $1.5 million – the largest in UFV history.
The Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation (a branch of the City of Chilliwack) has stepped up to provide funding needed to renovate the building, as part of a plan to revitalize the downtown core. When renovations are complete, the space will be divided into classrooms, meeting rooms and office space.
Harv McCullough, UFV’s vice-president of external relations, said the classes and workshops offered at this location will strengthen the bonds between UFV and the community. The focus of UFV Plaza will be on professional development and continuing studies, as well as workshops formed according to community demand.
“We will be listening to the community to find out what they need in terms of education and training,” McCullough stated in a UFV press release.
