Red Deer College’s new Centre for Health, Wellness and Sport will put both the educational institution and the city on the map, promises president Joel Ward.
“This is an extraordinary design. It really is iconic,” said Ward on Friday, as the public got a first look at detailed drawings of the $88-million project.
Located on the west side of campus, the impressive building will be seen by a million drivers a year going up and down nearby Hwy 2.
“This will be the new building that everybody will see. They’ll know it’s Red Deer and they’ll know it’s Red Deer College.”
Ground breaking will take place this fall, with construction getting underway next spring for a fall 2018 completion. That schedule will have it ready six months ahead of the 2019 Canada Winter Games, an event that will serve as the facility’s official coming-out party.
Many years in the planning, the centre will provide much-needed facilities for students, athletes, coaches and instructors.
It will also bolster the college’s campaign to become a degree-granting polytechnic university.