CBC breaks ground for $3M student centre

Columbia Bible College broke ground for a new student centre, Dec. 5. The 34,000 square foot building will house food services, a lounge for commuter students, career centre, wellness centre, student life offices, prayer chapel, conference rooms, lounges, and student activity areas.

Turning soil to launch construction of CBC’s new student centre, (l–r) president Paul Wartman, Board chair Brian Friesen, student body president Nathan Ramer, and project manager Fred Strumpski

Some 150 students and guests braved stormy conditions to witness the ceremony. Lou Sawchenko, director of development, welcomed them. College president Paul Wartman thanked donors for their generosity and stated that this building was all about students and their pressing need for adequate facilities on campus. The campus community numbers more than 600.

Mayor Mary Reeves, who attended along with several councillors, congratulated the College on its many decades of service to the Abbotsford community and its vision to build. The college board chair Brian Friesen, student council president Nathan Ramer, and Fred Strumpski on behalf of major donors to the project, participated in the ceremony. It is expected that the facility will be completed for the beginning of the academic year in September 2004.

—news release