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VANCOUVER – A new library and classroom building at Langara College, designed using innovative environmental features unique in North America, was officially opened today by Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell.
“The new library and classroom building will build on the success of Langara College by providing students, faculty and staff with a modern, environmentally friendly space to study and work,” said Coell. “Government funding of $29 million has added more than 7,700 square metres of space for teaching and learning at one of our province’s busiest campuses.”
The new building is fitted with unique environmentally-friendly features such as 9-metre wind towers that move air into the building while the rooftop weather station gauges the outdoor climate and adjusts the amount of ventilation needed indoors through a number of computer-activated windows. It also houses an innovative heating and cooling system that uses less natural gas and electrical energy than conventional heating.
The Province provided $29.3 million for the new library and classroom building, which also contains computer labs, study areas, meeting spaces and a food service area. The Province’s contribution will also fund renovations to the old library and upgrading to meet current seismic codes. Langara College provided $10 million to build the underground parkade below the library, with 449 parking stalls and 20 secured bicycle stalls.
“This new library will not only be a benefit to the college but also to the community around it,” said Vancouver-Langara MLA Carole Taylor. “It will help to boost the number of library users in the immediate area as Langara actively encourages their neighbours to use this facility.”
“I am absolutely thrilled with the award-winning design of this new library and classroom building and I know that the students and employees will be too,” said Langara College president Linda Holmes. “It is an example of our environmental responsibility governance policy coming to life and demonstrates our commitment to managing our physical environment in a sustainable manner.”
In the past five years, the provincial government has provided more than $1 billion in new funding for 904 capital projects on campuses throughout B.C. and has allocated $700 million in capital funding over the next three years to accommodate further growth.
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