By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles on Twitter

U of L receives $1-million donation towards Destination Project

Dec 12, 2016 | 4:26 PM

LETHBRIDGE – BMO Financial Group has thrown their support behind the Destination Project at the University of Lethbridge.

They donated $1-million to the project Monday (Dec. 12), which will help with the construction of the new Science and Academic building on campus.

“We’re pretty impressed with the work that the University of Lethbridge does, and we love the idea of sponsoring projects that celebrate innovation, that provide spaces for the community to come together, that gives students gathering places, and really giving them quality places to learn,” stated Susan Brown, Senior Vice-President, Alberta and North West Territories Division, BMO Bank of Montreal.

Following the announcement, U-of-L President, Mike Mahon, called the donation a crucial part of moving the project forward.

“The building of course has significant funding from the provincial government, $260-million, but the cost of the building is $280-million, so we do have to raise $20-million towards the completion of the building, so this is our first major announcement on that front,” said Mahon, adding that he’s hopeful BMO’s generosity will inspire other organizations to get involved as well.

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“It’s the largest project at the University of Lethbridge since the university hall was built, and so it will bring all of our sciences under one roof, which is really exciting for us,” Mahon continued. “Our science labs are almost the age of the university, they’re almost 50-years old, so of course, as a university that continues to grow in all areas, but in particular in the sciences, to be able to have state-of-the-art labs for our students is very important.

“The other piece for us is there’s a significant science outreach part of the building, and so to be able to connect with high school students, to connect with the broader community through the Destination Project is really exciting.”

In recognition of their support, Mahon noted that a 240 seat lecture hall – which he called a focal point of the Destination Project – will carry the name of BMO Financial Group.

The building is scheduled to open in the fall of 2019.