Wednesday, April 21, 2010, Calgary, Alberta – History was made today when SAIT Polytechnic announced the largest personal philanthropic donation ever given to a community college or polytechnic institution in Canada. John and Cheryl Aldred presented SAIT with a $15 million gift for its Promising Futures™ Campaign in support of the Trades and Technology Complex currently under construction.

At a gathering of hundreds of SAIT students and staff on Wednesday, John Aldred, founder and former chairman of Enerflex Systems, said that education is vitally important for society and that he believes it needs to be approached with a multi-generational view. “My family is making an investment in the Trades and Technology Complex because, not only will it be transformational for SAIT for generations to come, but it will elevate the stature of trades and how they are perceived as a career choice.”

When completed in 2012, the Trades and Technology Complex will provide the campus with more than 740,000 square feet of additional training spaces. The Complex will deliver 3,600 more student spaces allowing up to 8,100 more students every year to further their passions for hands-on training, primarily in the areas of energy, construction and manufacturing.

The largest of three buildings in SAIT’s new Trades and Technology Complex will be named the ‘Aldred Centre’ in recognition of today’s historic gift. The Aldred Centre will be more than 440,000 square feet and located along the south side of 16 Avenue NW. 

“It is truly heartwarming and inspiring to be the beneficiary of such a selfless act of generosity by the Aldreds,” says Irene Lewis, SAIT President and CEO. “This gift will have a profound impact on SAIT students and staff, as well as business, industry and Alberta’s productivity for years to come.”

The $15 million gift comes in addition to the previous record-setting personal donation of $10 million given to SAIT in 2006 by alumnus Keith MacPhail, Chairman and CEO, Bonavista Energy Trust. MacPhail also serves as Chair of SAIT’s Promising Futures Campaign Cabinet.

“The Aldred family’s gift provides a big boost to the Promising Futures Campaign that has now secured more than $50 million of its $75 million target,” says MacPhail. “At first, the Aldreds desired to remain anonymous with this leadership gift, but we encouraged them to allow us to recognize them publicly. We are hopeful that this significant donation will inspire others in the community to take note of the incredible transformation taking place at SAIT and contribute, in some way, to help shape Canada’s premier polytechnic.”

The Aldred Centre will be the predominant home for the School of Construction and the School of Manufacturing and Automation, which is fitting given where Aldred got his start. 

“Trades and technology is the cornerstone of my career,” says Aldred. “If people are given opportunity, work hard and never give up then it is amazing what can be accomplished. Forty years ago I would have never thought I would have the means to give $15 million. My hope is that there are young SAIT students who follow their passions, work hard and are one day inspired enough to give an even larger gift for such a good cause.”

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SAIT Polytechnic is one of Canada’s most exciting destinations for post-secondary education, offering more than 100 career programs that position people for success in technology, trades and business. A leader in innovation, SAIT also collaborates with industry on applied research and delivers corporate training worldwide. SAIT is a member of Polytechnics Canada and one of Alberta’s Top 50 Employers for 2011.

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