Red Deer College will ask the City of Red Deer to invest $2 million towards upgrading the college library, Donald School of Business, City Centre stage and Arts Centre technologies.
College administration will approach city council on Monday about helping it commemorate three milestone events — the Arts Centre’s 25th anniversary this year, the 50th anniversary of the college in 2013 and the City of Red Deer centennial.
In documents that will go to council, the college reports that the city’s contribution will be used to leverage provincial grants and community contributions.
One project involves enhancing the lighting projection and image creation capabilities in the Arts Centre. The upgrade is required to bring the facility up to modern standards for teaching use as well as the staging of local and touring productions.
The college is also looking to partner with the Central Alberta Theatre to enhance the City Centre stage in the former Uptown movie theatre on 49th Street.
“Apart from theatre productions, this facility will become an important teaching and learning venue for the Donald School of Business,” says the report.
The college would also like to enhance future growth at the Donald School of Business downtown.
Program and space improvements are being considered for the Library Information Common. This includes investing significant dollars in technology and other learning resources.
The office of the mayor and city manager support the request from the college in principle. It suggests considering this request during council’s mid-year budget review on Aug. 20.
A capital contribution between $1.4 million and $1.5 million could be supported and funded over a five-year period, a staff report suggests.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com