Premier opens Academic and Research Centre

August 17, 2011

The Hon. Ed Stelmach, Premier of Alberta, officially opened Athabasca University's new Academic and Research Centre (ARC) at a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 29, 2011. The premier was joined by Barry Walker, Chair of the Athabasca University Governing Council, Dr. Frits Pannekoek, the university's president, and Jeff Johnson, MLA for Athabasca-Redwater, at the ribbon cutting.

Construction of the 5000 square metre, $30 million dollar facility began in the fall of 2008. The new building will provide an open, collaborative, healthy and safe work environment in a building that honours the site, is technologically enabled, supports future expansion and promotes ready access.

The Academic and Research Centre will greatly strengthen Athabasca University's leadership role in addressing global distance education challenges and opportunities. The facility will provide badly needed space and services for the academic and research centres of the university, including work space for staff members. The building design will support increased collaboration between researchers and academics, giving impetus to research in teaching practices, technological innovations and implementation strategies associated with e-learning

The Government of Alberta provided a $30 million capital grant to fund construction of the Academic and Research Centre.

The building was designed by Manasc-Isaac Architects of Edmonton, and constructed by Chandos Construction, also of Edmonton.

For more information, contact:

John O'Brien
Manager, Communications and Media Relations
(403) 298-2931 (o)
(403) 990-1131 (c)
jobrien@athaabscau.ca

 

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Updated August 21, 2012