More Support for Prairie Innovation Centre

CONTINUES TO SEE DIVERSE SUPPORT Prairie Innovation Centre

As Assiniboine continues to engage partners who see the value in the future of agriculture in Manitoba, we have announced support for our Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture from CEL Group of Companies and Crane Steel Structures.

Assiniboine announced a $250,000 gift in kind from CEL Group of Companies in April. This generous contribution will go toward equipment produced by CEL, including a range of plant growth chambers and environmental monitoring and control systems.

“The ideals of the college align with our own. Their mission of educating and training students for roles within the agri-foods industry aligns directly with the needs of our core clientele and corporate purpose,” said John Proven, President and CEO of CEL. “Having an opportunity to be involved in such a project within our home province is rewarding to our organization. We were pleased to be approached by Assiniboine and are proud to engage with them in a meaningful way.”

The agriculture industry is evolving to a place where technology and food innovations are fundamental to things like agronomy, farming or land management.

The Prairie Innovation Centre will enable more unique work-integrated learning opportunities, applied research projects and industry innovation. Part of the vision for the Centre is the Applied Research and Education Hub, and CEL’s equipment contribution will be an important piece of this key feature. CEL will continue to engage with the college to custom design and manufacture the best-suited technologies and solutions for the anticipated applications.

“Industry support is crucial to bringing this project to life, and that includes support of this nature, which ensures our planned state-ofthe-art learning spaces can offer the quality we need and envision,” said Derrick Turner, Director, Advancement & External Relations. “The Prairie Innovation Centre is going to provide learners, researchers and industry with leading-edge, hands-on learning opportunities. We are fortunate to receive this support from CEL that will help see this vision through.”

Assiniboine’s relationship with the CEL Group of Companies goes back nearly a decade—their Argus control system is what currently operates the existing Sustainable Greenhouse on the North Hill campus, originally constructed in 2013.

“CEL’s equipment has enabled faculty-led research to be integrated with hands-on learning activities with students in Horticultural Production and Sustainable Food Systems programs,” said Tim Hore, Dean, Agriculture & Environment. “We are thrilled to have their quality equipment and support as we look toward the future.”

“We are excited about encouraging more students to pursue careers in agriculture, horticulture and plant science,” said Proven. “Our world needs bright energetic minds thinking about the problems of feeding the world, protecting our environment and improving human health—all things plants have a significant role in solving.”

Some of our best people have come through Assiniboine's programs, and knowing that this Centre will provide opportunities for generations to come is rewarding." “

Soon after this announcement, the college welcomed a $125,000 donation from well-known Brandon and Westman business leader, Crane Steel Structures.

“We couldn’t be prouder and more excited to play a role in bringing the Prairie Innovation Centre to life in Brandon,” said PJ Crane of Crane Steel Structures. “Agriculture is such a huge part of Westman and it’s where Crane Steel Structures got its start as a company more than 40 years ago. Some of our best people have come through Assiniboine Community College’s programs, and knowing that this Centre will provide opportunities for generations to come is very rewarding.”

The Prairie Innovation Centre aims to expand seats in agriculturerelated programming from 300 to more than 800, and will be located at Assiniboine’s North Hill campus in Brandon.

“The Prairie Innovation Centre is Assiniboine’s response to a growing labour market need in agriculture. It’s necessary to ensure this important sector achieves its full economic potential, and we know that Brandon and Westman is the right home for the Centre,” said Mark Frison, President of Assiniboine. “It’s good for the agriculture sector and it’s good for the community. We’re thrilled that Crane Steel Structures sees that and has come aboard with their support. Community and business leaders are crucial in bringing this project to life.”

The Westman landscape is dotted with Crane Steel buildings—the company has played a role in some of the largest commercial buildings in Westman. Crane Steel Structures founder, Paul Crane, was a recent recipient of an Assiniboine Honorary Diploma in 2020. He served as a member and then chair of the Assiniboine Board of Governors in the 1990s, and later as the president for the Assiniboine Foundation (’99 – ’02).

PROJECT SUPPORT

Keep up with all announced Prairie Innovation Centre donors at assiniboine.net/pic-donors