The University of Lethbridge, in partnership with Economic Development Lethbridge and Beakerhead Creative Society, are planning a community celebration to mark the official opening of its new Science and Academic Building – and everyone’s invited.
The two-day event will take place Sept. 13-14, 2019 and feature a host of interactive programs designed to showcase the spectacular 38,500 sq. metre building, celebrate ingenuity, science education, research and discovery.
“This building was designed to showcase the incredible research activities being done here on the University of Lethbridge campus and to inspire future generations of scientists,” says University of Lethbridge President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon. “From the very beginning, this building was envisioned as a science centre for southern Alberta and we are excited about celebrating the official opening with all of southern Alberta.”
As ambassadors for our city, Economic Development Lethbridge has been a strong advocate for the Science and Academic Building from the outset, recognizing the economic impact of its construction and how it will be a driver of innovation and entrepreneurship for years to come.
“The underlying theme of the Brighter Together brand for Lethbridge is that innovation and leadership will take our community forward into the future,” says EDL CEO Trevor Lewington. “We are pleased to partner with the University to bring Beakerhead to the city as we showcase the new Science and Academic Building while actively engaging the community in what leadership in innovation really looks like.”
The University and EDL have partnered to sponsor the Beakerhead activities that will enhance the many U of L faculty presentations designed to engage and excite visitors during the grand opening celebrations. An Alberta-based charity, Beakerhead’s mandate is to advance education at the crossroads of art, science and engineering, believing that when you throw open the doors to science and engineering through a welcoming world of art and entertainment, ingenuity happens.
“We are excited to bring a small taste of Beakerhead to celebrate the grand opening with the University of Lethbridge,” says Jeff Popiel, Beakerhead CEO. “Creating a hub like this for science education, outreach and collaboration inevitably sparks ideas, inventions and discoveries that will redefine the future.”
The official opening of the Science and Academic Building culminates a near nine-year process of advocacy, planning and eventually construction.
“We had our first meetings with then Premier Ed Stelmach on the day we opened Markin Hall in Fall 2010,” says Mahon. “We have long been committed to creating a science centre that served the needs of our outstanding faculty and student researchers and ignited a passion for science discovery throughout the region. I couldn’t be more excited that we are nearing the day of officially opening that long-held dream.”