Niagara At Large is posting the following October 28 media release from Niagara College about a major financial gift to the college from Tom Rankin, the head of St. Catharines, Ontario-based Rankin Construction.
Niagara College announced what is now the largest gift in its history
today. Tom Rankin, CEO of Rankin Construction, Inc. and Rankin Renewable
Power, Inc. is donating a $1-million leadership gift to Niagara
College’s Building Futures Campaign.
Tom Rankin. File photo by Doug Draper
College’s Technology Building has been renamed “The Rankin
Technology Centre.”
“Through its Master Plan, Niagara College has transformed itself, and
greatly enhanced its ability to support industry and innovation in
Niagara, and created a sense of renewal in our community,” said
Rankin. “We’re very pleased to play a leadership role in supporting
this transformation.”
“We’re very grateful to Tom Rankin and his family for this generous
gift,” said Steve Hudson, Acting President, Niagara College. “Tom
Rankin is a true leader in our community whose business achievements and
contributions to life in Niagara are tremendous. The gift that we’ve
received today greatly enhances our ability to provide state-of-the-art
learning environments that support our integrated approach to applied
learning.”
The Building Futures campaign supports NC’s $90-million master plan
which includes $88 million in new and expanded facilities and $2 million
for scholarships, bursaries and applied research. The facilities portion
of the project includes a significant expansion to The Rankin Technology
Centre. The 120,000 square-foot complex, comprised of both new and
renovated space, is home to the college’s Technology programs – from
engineering to skilled trades. It features classrooms and labs with the
latest state-of-the-art equipment, including a welding lab, drafting
room, materials lab, and a 10,000-square-foot ‘big bay’ where
two-storey homes can be constructed. Environmental features are present
throughout with solar panels shading windows, its own geothermal heating
and cooling system, and a wind turbine in the courtyard – all providing
a ‘living laboratory’ for students.
On the Welland campus, the project also includes the construction of
the new Athletic Centre and Applied Health Institute, and the Library
and Learning Commons expansion; while, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, it led to
the new Wine + Visitor Education Centre and Teaching Brewery, as well as
a Culinary Skills expansion. The project creates more than 1,700 new
spaces in programs where labour is in high demand in Niagara – including
skilled trades and technology.
“Our ability to pursue such ambitious and exciting projects depends
very much on the support of different levels of government, and our
business, industry and community partners,” said Len Crispino, Chair
of the Niagara College Board of Governors. “We at Niagara College very
fortunate for the generous support of a business and community leader
like Tom Rankin.”
Niagara College offers more than 100 diploma, bachelor degree and
advanced level programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake and
Niagara Falls. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences,
advanced technology, applied health and community safety, supported by
unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, horticulture and
esthetics. For more information, visit www.NiagaraCollege.ca.
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Niagara At Large 
Thanks to Tom Rankin.
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