New learning centre for MRU

$85.5M from AB government and a generous donation from the Riddell family

Kari Pedersen

Staff Writer

Mount Royal University has secured funding for the construction of a new library, and the new study space will be four times the size of the current library.

The library, which will break ground in April of 2014, has been part of a plan the school has been developing since 2005. The university has been looking at the importance of updating the school to help the transition from college to university and the library was at the top of their “to-do” list.

The funding for the $85.5 million library comes partially from the Alberta government and partially from a generous donation provided to the school by the Riddell family. The new state-of-the-art facility will be called the Riddell Library and Learning Centre.

Construction on the Riddell Library and Learning Centre will begin in April 2014, and will be four times larger than the current library. Photo courtesy: Mount Royal University

David Docherty, President of Mount Royal has been anticipating the construction of the new library for quite some time, and has said that students need a space like this.

“The library is where it happens. Where students evolve into the young, bright adults they become when they leave Mount Royal,” Docherty said in a press release.

Alison Redford referred to the new library as an essential component in the success of all students, saying that the library “is more than just a collection of books, it is a critical resource for students.”

Alana Burrows, first year physical education/kinesiology student, is looking forward to the new library.

“I might not even still be here when the library opens, but I am still excited.”

She feels that in order to fully transition to University status the library needs an update.

“The library is way too small for the size of the school now. There is rarely any room, and when you go to other schools in the city their library is so much more substantial,” Burrows said.

There is a lot of excitement on campus surrounding the announcement that the proposal has been approved. Several students are looking forward to the change, but many are wondering why the money is going towards something like this when the school is still struggling with budget cuts on campus.

First year child and youth counseling student Katie Law is one of the students wondering how the funds are allocated.

“I think it’s kind of a waste. With all the recent budget cuts the money should be going somewhere else where it’s actually needed. The library shouldn’t be our top priority, but it looks cool, I guess.”

To see more about the new library, visit the current library and check out the model as well as some more specifics on the project.