StoneCutter099
New Member
You're missing the broader context of how this initiative aligns with the Campus Master Plan. This park represents the first step in a multi-phased, multi-decade strategy for campus expansion. The land it occupies was acquired specifically to advance the goals outlined in the Master Plan—not for the building that previously stood on it. That structure, over a century old, had significant code deficiencies and deferred maintenance issues that rendered it unusable. The value was always in the land, not the building.
This greenspace is a foundational element in the vision to create a cohesive, urban post-secondary campus that intentionally integrates green areas—something often overlooked in downtown campuses like NorQuest was five years ago, or Bow Valley College in Calgary today. As outlined in Post #20, the upcoming Career Skills Centre will complete an east-west green corridor, linking the existing campus entrance to 109 Street. This will enhance accessibility, campus permeability, and NorQuest’s visibility within the community it serves.
It’s important to understand that, due to the province’s capital funding model, major projects must be delivered sequentially. The college can’t build everything at once. That’s why it’s essential to view current developments through the lens of the Campus Master Plan. The vision is deliberate, grounded, and aligned with the needs of the surrounding community, the City of Edmonton’s urban planning goals, and the provincial post-secondary strategy. It also considers NorQuest’s unique role within the broader ecosystem of local institutions. The post-secondary institutions are realizing their unique roles in the sector by not seeing each other as competition and now starting to work together on an unprecedented level - this is a good thing for students and the Alberta tax payer.
Additionally, NorQuest recently acquired the former Champs Boxing Studio building at 109 Street and 103 Avenue. This property, directly adjacent to the new park, will be repurposed in the coming years for student-focused, non-academic uses—further enhancing the campus experience until the land it sits on is required for a future expansion.
It’s rare to see a Campus Master Plan being executed as thoroughly—and as swiftly—as NorQuest’s. Published publicly in early 2023, the plan is already well underway. Unlike many master plans that remain aspirational or are replaced before being realized, NorQuest’s is being brought to life with intention and momentum.
Last edited:
