$1.4 MILLION FOR CAPILANO CAMPUS LAND IN SQUAMISH

SQUAMISH – Government has provided $1.4 million for a land acquisition by Capilano University with the long-term goal of expanding the campus to the downtown core of Squamish, announced Murray Coell, Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development.

“Funding for universities and colleges has never been higher, and our students are getting the best possible education with more choices and more access to post-secondary education closer to home,” said Coell. “The Province’s investment of $1.4 million is helping Capilano University ensure the educational needs of Squamish and the Sea-to-Sky corridor will continue to be met over the coming years.”

The land, acquired from British Columbia Rail Properties Ltd. in August 2008, will provide the university with an additional 1.87 hectares. The land is part of Capilano University’s long-term plan to create a campus in the downtown core of Squamish.

Capilano University’s current campus is located on 4.45 hectares of land adjacent to Highway 99. Together with the new property, the university will have 6.32 hectares on which to build in the future.

“The acquisition of this land is really a building block for the future that will allow the university to grow as the community expands,” said Dr. Greg Lee, president of Capilano University. “This critical first step was completed as a direct result of the strong support and leadership from a number of community leaders.”

Capilano University’s Squamish campus offers a broad range of programs to the community, and in recent years has expanded its focus on recreation and tourism. These popular programs are attracting students locally, nationally and internationally.

Capilano has offered bachelor degrees for the past 15 years, initially in partnership with BC’s Open University, and then under its own name since 2003. Recent legislation giving Capilano university status means it can now offer a wider range of degrees, which will also lead to increased student accessibility and enrolment.

Capilano University has campuses in North Vancouver, Squamish and Sechelt. Its Squamish campus opened in 1995 and serves Squamish, Whistler, Mount Current, Pemberton, Lyons Bay and D’Arcy.

Today, Capilano University serves 6,700 credit and 7,000 non-credit students annually and has more than 900 employees in the three locations. More than 180 students enrolled in programs at the Squamish campus last year, including five international students.

Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $1.5 billion in capital expansion, over $1.5 billion in research and increased operating grants to post-secondary institutions by 40 percent.

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Media contact:	Richard Chambers Communications Director Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development 250 952-6508 250 361-7241 cell

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