An agreement between the Town of Smithers and the Northwest Community College will help the community two-fold, Deputy Mayor Jo Ann Groves said: first, it will provide valuable experience for students within town and second it will assist the town in renovating a building that is currently under-utilized.
The agreement allows for NWCC carpentry students to participate in renovations to the Ranger Park Building’s second floor. An ongoing discussion since May 2010, council met with NWCC representatives in a committee of the whole recently to discuss the program and what a partnership could look like.
“We’re excited about it because it could be something that this is just the first step in having this program in the college,” acting mayor Jo Anne Groves said. “When you start with one, it could lead to other types of programming, especially in the trades.”
This way, students graduating from Smithers Secondary School, or the Bulkley Valley Christian School would have the option to attend an apprentice-ship program in their hometown, Groves said, without having to relocate to a more urban centre.
“It would be great to have more options,” she continued.
NWCC students will be responsible for the demolition of the second floor as well as some renovations. The town will provide supplies for the project, up to $19,000 for phases one and two of the project, Groves said. Phases one and two covers the demolition of the second floor and the construction of an exterior stairwell, required to meet fire code.
The remaining phases would be looked at at a later date, but financially, this is making the most out of the situation, Groves said, with the students essentially providing free labour, while perfecting their craft at the same time.
“Hopefully, with the cooperation of the college … it will start soon, within the next month or so,” Groves said.