Lakeland College officially opened its Energy Park Site on April 18.

Dignitaries, industry partners, alumni, students, employees and friends of the college celebrated the opening of the three-acre industrial site just west of Lloydminster. The site includes two large buildings that now house Lakeland’s (SRT) and truck driver training programs.

Lakeland acquired the Energy Park Site through the generosity of a donor.

“We’re thankful for this generous donation. With this wonderful addition our street rod technologies students are turning their passion for vehicles into rewarding careers and our truck driver training program finally has a permanent location,” says Alice Wainwright-Stewart, Lakeland’s president and CEO.

Donor Barry Anderson says the celebration is all about the college, the students, and this facility that they'll use for years to come.

“I'm proud to be a part of it, but I was only one piece of a lot of moving parts to get to this point. What they've done to the site is amazing and unbelievable. I'm glad this has worked out for the college and for the younger generation to be able to have an educational facility like this.”

Officially opening the Energy Park Site is significant for Lakeland’ School of Trades and Technology and its students.

“This innovative facility is filled with outstanding potential for Lakeland to grow its presence in industry, and to train students with current, industry-relevant programming,” says Dave King, dean of the school.

“We’ve been able to increase our capacity for enrolment in our SRT program, as well as have all of the tools they need to excel under one roof and have additional space for them to keep their personal projects,” King says. “For our truck driver training program, the location is its first permanent home. Before, we parked our trucks and trailers at either campus or in area parking lots. Now, our equipment is safely stored inside the north building at the Energy Park Site, shielded from the elements.”

SRT students learn to customize and restore vehicles in this one-year certificate program. They learn about vehicle design, electrical systems, frames, suspension and more. Using specialized tools, students develop valuable skills in metal shaping, custom painting and welding, among others. In addition to finding employment in the restoration and fabrication industry, SRT graduates have the opportunity to challenge the auto body prepper apprenticeship exam. Lakeland offers both Alberta and Saskatchewan Class 1 and 3 truck driver training.

Check out more photos from the energy park site grand opening on Flickr.

Photo: Joined by dignitaries, industry partners, alumni, students, employees and friends, Lakeland College officially opened its Energy Park Site on April 18, 2018. (L-R) Dale Swyripa, reeve for the County of Vermilion River; Darrel Howell, chair for Lakeland’s Board of Governors; Terrance Bear, oilfield truck operator student; Norman Stevens street rod technologies student; donors Jackie and Barry Anderson; Rosemarie Falk, MP for Battlefords-Lloydminster; Alice Wainwright-Stewart, Lakeland’s president & CEO; Gerald Aalbers, mayor for the City of Lloydminster; and Dave King, dean of Lakeland’s School of Trades and Technology.