Selina Robinson, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills at the grand opening of CMTN's newly renovated academic building, Waap Sa'mn (House of Spruce).
Terrace, BC — Students at the Terrace campus of Coast Mountain College returned to classes this semester in the newly renovated Waap Sa’mn (House of Spruce). The renovations constituted the third and final phase of an upgrade project which began in 2019. Earlier phases of this project included the opening of a new student housing building and the renovation of the library.
“These renovated learning spaces will support and inspire students and faculty” said Dr. Laurie Waye, College President and CEO. “We are very excited to have such high-quality labs, classrooms, and student spaces to enhance the education we offer to our region both at our campuses and through distributed learning and Contact North BC centres.”
Classrooms in Waap Sa’mn are fitted out with technologies for distributed learning to make quality education more accessible across a large geographic region and improve the student experience. Computer, nursing, and science labs have all received technology upgrades to better prepare students for the next steps in their careers.
Inviting social spaces for student gatherings have been created throughout the building to foster community and collaboration.
The renovations to the building will increase its energy efficiency with features that include a fully-upgraded HVAC system, improved insulation, and motion-sensor LED lighting. The building also has added seismic and fire safety features and improved accessibility design.
“Generations of students will benefit from this newly renovated space at Coast Mountain College,” said Selina Robinson, Minister for Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “This investment is about ensuring students in Northern B.C. have access to quality education, modern technologies and inclusive and accessible spaces to foster community and connection.”
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Additional Quote:
“The newly renovated space enhances students’ experiential place-based learning at the College, with state-of-the-art labs and distributed learning technology.” – Dr. Titi Kunkel, Vice President, Academic, Students, and International
- The pronunciation of the Waap Sa’mn is “wap se-ah min”
- The library renovation ($4.4-million) was completed in October 2021. The interior renovations to the main and second floors of the building are substantially complete and classes are underway. The total cost of these two renovation phases is $13.4 million and is fully-funded by the Province. Some additional exterior and interior work will follow in the coming months.
- Coast Mountain College (CMTN), formerly Northwest Community College, was established in 1975 in Terrace. The college serves the Northwest Region of British Columbia, from Haida Gwaii west to Houston. CMTN regional campuses reside on the traditional, unceded territories of the Haida, Ts'msyen, Gitxsan and Witsuwit'en Nations. The college also serves the Nisga’a and Haida Nations within the region and close neighbours the Tahltan Nation.
Media Contacts:
Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills Media Relations
Coast Mountain College
Heather Bastin
Executive Director, External Relations
250-635-6511 Ext. 5494
Mobile: 250-615-3855