UBC Reports | Vol. 47 | No. 19 | November 29, 2001

Finning donates land for high-tech education hub

A large land gift from Finning International Inc. will allow UBC and three sister institutions to develop educational programs in Vancouver's newly emerging high- tech centre.

Finning has donated an 80 per cent share of 7.5-hectacres on Great Northern Way, which is being divided equally among UBC, Simon Fraser University, Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design and the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

The property encompasses approximately six city blocks between Main Street and Clark Drive and is valued at approximately $33.8 million.

"We look forward to working with our other post-secondary partners to make this site a hub of high-tech learning and research," says UBC President Martha Piper.

"This exciting public-private partnership gives us an unprecedented opportunity to create a multidisciplinary, innovative centre that will support B.C.'s knowledge economy."

No detailed plans for the property have been developed. UBC and partner institutions are exploring options for training and education programs for the property as well as development strategies to fund them.