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Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Downtown campuses keep growing

By: Nick Martin

25/11/2008 9:12 PM | Comments: 0

Wheeling and dealing Tuesday, Jeff Zabudsky and Lloyd Axworthy made their main downtown campuses bigger.
And in the process, they’re continuing the rejuvenation of downtown, said the two post-secondary presidents.
Zabudsky’s Red River College will take over the 21 classrooms in the Massey Building at 294 William Avenue in September. Red River takes over University of Winnipeg’s long-term lease on the historic building.
Meanwhile, U of W president Axworthy will move his continuing education program out of the Exchange District, and spread the program into one or more properties being developed just east of the Portage Avenue campus.
That could be in the bus depot when Greyhound vacates this summer, in 491 Portage Ave., or in a new facility to be built on the site of the former United Army Surplus store, Axworthy said.
Continuing education will likely be in temporary classrooms come September, but should be in new digs 18 months from now, he said.
"There is a certain yearning to come back to the campus as we’re developing it," Axworthy said. "They’ve been kind of off by themselves."
The 21 classrooms can handle from 16 to 45 students. Zabudsky said that RRC has not yet identified which programs will move into the Massey Building, but said there will be courses which do not require specialized labs.
"It will be a release valve for the pressure" on the Notre Dame and Princess Street facilities, he said.
With construction expected to start next spring on transforming the Union Bank Tower into a student residence, Zabudsky said, Red River’s campus is moving beyond just one block.
"We want to create a downtown education environment," Zabudsky said.
"We can be a real spark for growth and development," Axworthy said.
The two presidents also signed an agreement for their 12th joint program, in geographic information systems technology, and said they are developing joint four-year programs in aviation management and in disability studies.
nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca

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