The bids are back and on budget, the contractor is on the site and work has begun on Douglas College’s new Health Sciences Centre in Coquitlam.

The $36.1 million expansion

of David Lam Campus will provide a state-of-the-art facility for about 1,500 students in the Health Sciences, Academic Arts, Science and Business programs.

“This is indeed a very exciting project for the College and the

community,” said Douglas College President

Susan Witter.

Vanbots Construction Inc.

was the successful bidder for the construction contract for David Lam Phase II. Vanbots has worked with the College previously, handling the 5th and 6th floor expansion at the New Westminster campus in 2004.

“This is indeed a very exciting project for the College and the community,” said Douglas

IN

Douglas College

March 2006

Work has begun on the $36.1 million expansion of the David Lam Campus. Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell and the Deputy Minister Moura Quayle will join President Susan Witter and other dignitaries at a ground-breaking ceremony on March 15.

College President Susan Witter. “Tt will provide the best, most up-to-date facilities for our students and our award-winning instructors.”

Construction is expected to get underway in early March. The

equipped and serving students by January, 2008.

The expansion features a 9,720- square-metre health sciences building that will contain classrooms and labs for a variety of programs such as Nursing,

Information Services and university Arts and Sciences. The existing library and cafeteria facilities will be expanded to accommodate the increased student numbers.

coming from the BC Ministry of Advanced Education and the balance from the College’s major

dignitaries at a ground breaking ceremony at the construction site on March 15 at 2:30pm. capital reserve.

Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell and the Deputy

The overall project budget is Minister Moura Quayle

new facility is scheduled to be

EASL Department wins

The English as a Second Language department has won a national award for developing specialized programs for professions.

The Lyn Howes Award was presented to Carol St. Jean by the Canadian Language Council. The College’s EASL/ Home Support Resident Care Attendant Program was cited for its excellence in both its standards and its delivery.

Given out annually to those who show commitment and innovation in the delivery of quality programs and services, the award commemorates Lyn Howes, a

founding member of the CLC who died last year.

"Tt was an honour to accept the award on behalf of my colleagues in ESL,” said St. Jean. “We hope to

use the model of the ESL for Allied Health to guide future programming with other departments in the

Psychiatric Nursing, Health

$36.1 million, with $32 million will join Witter and other

national award for excellence

College who might be interested in increasing access

for learners with ESL needs.”

The EASL/HSRC Program had its last intake of students in September 2005. They are expected to graduate this June. This will bring the 10-year association between EASL and Home Support Resident Care to an end.

Due to a number of changes in the College, the EASL/HSRC Program is being currently revamped and expanded. It will be called the EASL for Allied Health Program. It will provide primarily language upgrading to those selected applicants who cannot meet the English 12 with a B or C requirements for these programs. It will have its first intake of students in September 2007.

ESL Instructors Carol St. Jean (right) and Kate Yoshitomi proudly display the Lyn Howes Award, presented to the program by the Canadian Language Council.

Quote of the Month

Sitting quietly, doing nothing, Spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.

- The Gospel According To Zen