Selkirk College officially opens refreshed Silver King Campus

The project includes two renovated trades buildings and the construction of a new carpentry shop

The official ribbon cutting for the Silver King Campus Refresh project was handled by (middle L-R) Selkirk College President Angus Graeme, Nelson-Creston MLA Michelle Mungall, Millwright/Machinist Program student Kai Roenspiess, Elder Anne Jimmie, AEST Minister Melanie Mark and Kootenay West MLA Katrine Conroy. — Photo courtesy Selkirk College

Selkirk College students are now able to access cutting-edge training facilities that will get them job-ready for in-demand trades careers, with the official opening of a new trades training facility in Nelson.

“Students in the Kootenays will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and the equipment they need to be industry ready,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills & Training. “Our government is delivering 21st Century trades training to give students the hands-on experience they need to get high paying, family supporting jobs and be a part of building the best in BC.”

The minister was at the Silver King Campus in Nelson on Monday (August 26) for the official opening of three renovated shop buildings and a new Student Commons Building, which are all LEED certified. Selkirk College President Angus Graeme joined Minister Mark, students, faculty, alumni, industry representatives, government officials and community members for the grand opening event.

Training Facilities that Meet Demands of Today's Job Market

More than 500 trades students and instructors can now access modern trades training facilities to get hands-on experience in programs like heavy mechanics, carpentry and welding.

“Selkirk College is so grateful for the way that the Province of BC, the Government of Canada, Columbia Basin Trust and our industry, labour union and local government partners have come together to reimagine and renew the Silver King Campus,” Graeme said. “With everyone’s help, students now have a truly life-changing environment to learn, gain confidence and be job-ready for a tremendous future in their chosen field.”

The project includes two renovated trades buildings and the construction of a new carpentry shop with a large covered outdoor area. The new Student Commons Building houses a cafeteria, multi-purpose open study area, the library, student services and an Indigenous Gathering Place.

The project will create space efficiencies that will enable the college to accommodate existing demand, as well as future growth, without increasing the campus footprint.

The total cost of the project was $23.2 million, with $13.63 million from the Government of British Columbia, $5.84 million from the Government of Canada’s Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund (SIF), $2 million from Selkirk College, and the remainder from industry partners and donors.

British Columbia has received $257 million through the SIF. Twenty public post-secondary institutions and one private First Nations institution in BC are benefiting from 30 individual projects throughout the province.

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