The planned hotel and convention centre slated to be built on college lands has vaulted another hurdle after a land use bylaw amendment was passed at last Monday's (June 13) town council meeting.
The Pomeroy Group and Olds College have merged their interests to reach the common goal of building a hotel that will double as the learning centre for the Canadian Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship (CIRE).
The amendment clarifies what “College uses” are to include activities allowed by the Post-Secondary Learning Act, which broadens the scope of what Olds College can do with those lands.
“We're obviously pleased. A positive step in that journey happened Monday,” said Jordan Cleland, VP of Advancement at the Olds College.
“As the Olds College continues to be proactive and offer unique programs, that attract all learners from around the world, improvements like this will be needed from time to time,” said Mayor Judy Dahl.
Cleland said the existing town bylaw had the college as a category of land use, which may have impeded construction of the hotel from proceeding.
“We couldn't continue this partnership with the Pomeroy Group without the blessing of the Alberta government through cabinet that the learning activity that will occur in that building is generally consistent with the Post Secondary Learning Act.”
Cleland says they received this blessing from the Government of Alberta in September of 2010.
The Pomeroy Group is excited to partner with Olds College and be a part of the new developments in Olds, said president Ryan Pomeroy.
“It gets more exciting every day that passes,” said Pomeroy.
The project is presently in the process of getting plans finalized so construction can begin.
Though originally slated to begin this spring, construction is now projected to begin in August, confirmed Cleland and Pomeroy.
Cleland said he hopes the facility will be built and education will commence in September of 2012.
The finer details of the Rural Hospitality and Tourism Program are being discussed and decided upon by the schools of Agriculture and Environment at Olds College, said Cleland.
Diploma and certificate-based courses will be taught, as well as non-credit, extension-based courses, said Cleland.
