By Geoff Smith (@GeoffSmithLNN on Twitter)

College Home project wraps with sale of final home

May 22, 2018 | 12:36 PM

LETHBRIDGE – As the first year for the Trades, Technologies and Innovation facility winds down at Lethbridge College, a fundraiser in support of the building has wrapped up with the sale of the final College Home.

Over the five years of the program, a portion of the sale proceeds from eight new homes went to support the $77-million facility, through a partnership with the Canadian Home Builders Association. The final home, in Garry Station on the west side, was built by Stranville Living. It’s been sold, resulting in a gift of $81,002.65 to the college.

“The interest in supporting the college and making sure that we have a skilled workforce for them to draw from is really important,” Lethbridge College president and CEO Dr. Paula Burns said. She expressed her gratitude to the builders and contractors that took part by making an investment.

This was the second home headed up by Stranville Living. President and general manager Dell Mathews echoed Burns’ comments on the value of training and retaining skilled tradespeople locally.

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“Without them, we don’t produce homes, we don’t produce high-quality homes, and it’s very important to us,” he said.

Other lead homebuilders over the five years included Ashcroft Master Builder, Galko Master Builder, Avonlea Master Builder, Daytona Homes, and Signature Homes. Altogether, more than 300 companies donated time and services.

With the facility and associated fundraiser now complete, Burns wants to make sure the capacity in their programs is being used so they can meet the demand for new workers. Beyond that, she’s looking at potential renovations for the culinary department.

The final fundraising total, meanwhile, will be announced at an event in June.