B.C. opens 'largest conference space on the Westshore' at Royal Roads University
A brand new, 500-seat auditorium has opened at Royal Roads University (RRU).
The multi-purpose building, dubbed the Dogwood Auditorium, will be open for public event bookings beginning January 2022, the province announced Friday.
The building includes a large presentation space with retractable seating and a partition that can divide the room in two, a media services room, a meeting room, and a multi-purpose room.
The province adds that the newly renovated building includes a "geo-exchange energy system," which is more energy efficient than traditional heating sources.
The Dogwood is described as the "largest conference space on the Westshore," according to the provincial government, and may also host convocation ceremonies for the university in the future.
"This building is a fantastic example of our government working with post-secondary institutions to invest in infrastructure that supports students and communities," said B.C. Minister of Advanced Education, Anne Kang.
"Renovating this historic space for a modern purpose creates a place for students to learn and for RRU to engage with the community, lean into partnerships and welcome everyone to their beautiful campus," she said.
The Dogwood Auditorium is located inside the university's former squash courts and locker rooms building. The building itself was originally constructed in 1959 and served as a pool for the former Royal Roads Military College.
Construction of the Dogwood Auditorium cost roughly $15.2 million, with the province providing $14.6 million in funding and the university contributing $600,000.
"I’m delighted that the partnership between our government and RRU is bringing us the first conference centre of this capacity in Westshore," said Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin in a statement Friday.
"I am excited that we are getting a place to gather, learn and build our community," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.