Construction is underway for Okanagan College’s new Health Sciences Centre. The state-of-the-art, $18.9-million facility is expected to complete in 2020.

The 2,800 square-metre (30,000 square-foot) Health Sciences Centre will be an integrated learning centre. Programming provided through the new centre will include diploma and certificate programs, to help meet the need for high-priority health-care professionals, such as practical nurses, dental assistants, special-needs workers and health-care assistants.

“Students will get the skills and training in a modern building for a range of health-care and social-development careers,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.

Designed by GEC Architecture, the Health Sciences Centre is pushing the envelope of sustainable practice by targeting LEED Gold, the Zero Carbon Building Standard and Silver Certification in the WELL Educational Pilot Program. Construction is being managed by Stuart Olson Dominion.

The centre will be the first building in Western Canada and only the second in the country that has been included in the WELL building standard that looks at the way occupant health and wellness is impacted by the building design, explains a release.

As part of the WELL design, the new construction will integrate solar technologies, student social gathering and collaboration space.

The design highlights also include low heat loss and a high efficiency building envelope. The building design will positively improve student, faculty and staff health and wellness on campus.

The project will be financed through a $15.4-million contribution from the Province of B.C. and through fundraising Okanagan College is undertaking. The college is aiming to raise $3.5 million in support of construction and $1.5 million for program and student support.