Tuesday, January 26, 2010
RBC Donates $135,000 to Okanagan College campaign
Posted by: Public Affairs
Okanagan College Media Release - Jan. 25, 2010
RBC contributes $135,000 to College’s Centre of Excellence
The campaign to establish Okanagan College’s Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation received its largest donation to date with the announcement of a $135,000 commitment from RBC.
RBC’s contribution will help realize the Okanagan College Foundation’s $5 million capital fundraising campaign to finance the development of the $28 million Centre of Excellence in Penticton, which is being designed and built to meet one of the most demanding set of environmental standards, the Living Building Challenge.
“It is exciting to be a part of such a unique and inspiring project,” said Karen Borring-Olsen, Regional Vice President RBC Royal Bank. “RBC is pleased to join the growing network of community-minded donors, both citizens and corporations, who share a vision for education, innovation and sustainable growth in the Okanagan.”
The announcement of RBC’s donation was made this evening during the Olympic Torch Relay community event held in Kelowna. RBC is the presenting partner of the 2010 Torch Relay, which invited thousands of Canadians to participate in the relay through its carrythetorch.com campaign.
“We have been extremely fortunate to partner with a number of organizations that have taken the time to grasp just how important and groundbreaking this building will be for the Okanagan,” said John Walker, President & CEO, FortisBC and Chair of the Okanagan College Foundation’s capital campaign. “The addition of RBC as our largest corporate donor is tremendous news for the campaign and for Okanagan College.”
For Okanagan College Board of Governors member Brian Hughes, news of the donation hit home – he is also a Vice President for RBC Dominion Securities in Penticton.
“I have the privilege of working with Okanagan College through the Board of Governors and know first-hand how much great work is being done by the College in the South Okanagan,” explained Hughes. “I take a great deal of pride in the fact that RBC is stepping up to support such an important project for the people and future of this region.”
The Centre of Excellence is funded by the Federal and Provincial governments, who provided $22.6 million through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, and the Okanagan College Foundation and its donors. The 6,622 square-metre facility is being heralded as one of the most innovative and environmentally sustainable buildings in the nation. It will more than double the size of the existing campus and will expand program and research opportunities for learners across the region.
To find out more about the Centre of Excellence, visit: www.okanagan.bc.ca/centreofexcellence.
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For more information:
Jennifer Cabeldu
Manager, Donations
Public Affairs, BC Region
RBC
604-665-6938
Allan Coyle, Director
Public Affairs
Okanagan College
250-862-5413
acoyle@okanagan.bc.ca
