May 2, 2005 - 5:00pm
Western Forest Products (WFP) has added a major boost to the final phase of Malaspina University-College’s campaign for a new Library.
Reynold Hert, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Duncan-based forestry company, confirmed a pledge for $50,000 Friday to Malaspina president Richard Johnston. The five-year pledge pushes the Malaspina Foundation’s fundraising campaign to $1,740,817, which is 99 per cent of the $1.75-million goal.
"This is a fabulous gift, and a tremendous boost to bring us so close to our goal," said president Johnston. "It’s particularly gratifying to have such a major historic presence in the region recognizing the importance of the Library for all our students, and for the whole of central and northern Vancouver Island."
Western Forest Products operates the timber harvesting, wood manufacturing and pulp operations of the former Doman group of companies. WFP is currently rebuilding its presence on Vancouver Island and the lower mainland through its operation of six sawmills, one lumber value added plant and one pulp mill.
"Western Forest Products is pleased to support the Library project at Malaspina University-College," said Hert. "Located in our business operating area, Malaspina provides local education opportunities for our employee’s families, as well as for future employees in fields ranging from trades to professions."
Malaspina’s new Library project is a $14.1-million total rebuild of the old Library at the Nanaimo campus, which is the central resource for more than 14,000 students and many more community people who use the Library for their own research and study.
The Library will grow from approximately 30,000 square feet on three floors to more than 65,000 square feet on five floors. The Library will offer vastly increased electronic resources, reference storage and study space, and will house a new campus bookstore, coffee lounge and the new Institute for Coastal Research.
Funding for the project came from provincial and federal governments, a mortgage and business operations by Malaspina University-College, and the community fundraising project.
Construction is almost complete and the building will be fully operational by September 2005. For further information contact Roger Prior, Director of the Malaspina Foundation at 740-6217.
Tags: In the Community
