The Building for Purpose campaign is a bold vision for the future of St. Mary’s University—one shaped by the students we serve and the opportunities we create for them.
This transformational campaign will reshape our campus through spaces that strengthen academic excellence and student life, expand access to a distinctive St. Mary’s education, and deepen our connection with the community. More than a collection of buildings, it is an investment in generations of students who will discover their purpose and carry the impact of their education into the world.
The Building for Purpose campaign is our response and our opportunity. We invite you to help us build this next chapter. Your partnership will help us create the space where students will learn, belong, grow in faith and purpose, and become the leaders our communities need.
Be part of our journey. Follow each project as it takes shape and celebrate the milestones that move Building for Purpose from vision to reality. Return often to follow our progress and see the next chapters of this transformational campaign unfold.
We have successfully completed fundraising for Phase 1 of the Building for Purpose campaign, with planning and construction now underway to advance the following three priorities:
1. MARTINDOME: A new 22,000-square-foot athletics and events facility that will provide a long-awaited home for our athletics programs and create much-needed recreational and gathering space for students and the wider Calgary community.
2. Student Residence: A thoughtfully designed 100-bed residence at the Father Lacombe Care Centre, extending the St. Mary’s experience to students from beyond Calgary and creating new opportunities to live, learn, and build community together.
3. Scholarships & Bursaries: An investment to support students, ensuring that as the MARTINDOME and new residence create more opportunities to welcome students and grow our community, financial barriers do not stand in the way of accessing a St. Mary’s education.
Phase 2 will bring the next chapter of Building for Purpose to life through the Academic Hall, aligning our academic capacity with our growing campus and creating spaces that advance learning, strengthen student success, and allow our programs and community to thrive.
Coming 2027, the MARTINDOME, a 22,000-square-foot athletics and recreation facility, will finally bring Lightning Athletics home. Dedicated courts and flexible spaces will strengthen varsity teams and expand recreational opportunities while supporting new programs such as badminton and volleyball. More than a home for athletics, the MARTINDOME will energize campus life and build belonging while welcoming schools, youth programs, and community organizations from across southeast Calgary. It will become a place where students compete, the campus gathers, and community connections grow.
For the first time in its history, in 2029, St. Mary’s will offer students the opportunity to live on campus. The new 100-bed Residence at Father Lacombe Centre will transform St. Mary’s from a commuter institution into a vibrant residential university community. Thoughtfully designed living and gathering spaces, classrooms, offices, and a chapel will extend learning beyond the classroom while supporting the formation of the whole person. he residence will expand access for students from beyond Calgary and create a place where they can build relationships, deepen their faith, discover their purpose, and grow into compassionate leaders.
Through Building for Purpose, St. Mary’s has made a significant investment in student support, ensuring that as the MARTINDOME and new residence create opportunities to welcome more students and grow our community, financial barriers do not stand in the way of a St. Mary’s education. Today more than $1.8 million has already been raised for scholarships and bursaries, helping reduce financial stress so students can focus on their studies and participate fully in university life.
To learn more about the vision, priorities, and impact of Phase 1, explore the Building for Purpose Case Statement. ⟶
Building for Purpose Phase 2 is a $50 million investment in St. Mary’s most important priorities: building on our enrolment momentum, creating space for new academic programs, and strengthening the student experience. At the heart of Phase 2 is a plan to build a new Academic Hall that will give the School of Education a permanent home and provide Arts and Sciences with room to grow. As enrolment grows, its new learning and gathering spaces will preserve the personal, values-based education that distinguishes St. Mary’s. More students will be able to choose St. Mary’s and graduate prepared to make a meaningful difference in their communities. We invite you to help us build the academic capacity that will make this possible for generations to come.
Explore the vision for Phase 2 and discover how this next chapter of Building for Purpose will shape the future of St. Mary’s University ⟶
What’s In the Hall
Home for the Arts and Sciences and Education
Library
Gathering Spaces
Theatre
Get Involved
Meet with a campaign representative to discuss and make your contribution. Call Patience Mbwizhu at 403.254.3128 to set up an appointment.
FAQs
Building for Purpose is St. Mary’s University’s campaign to create the spaces, programs, and student supports our growing community needs. Through two phases, it will strengthen academics, student life, athletics, and community connections.
More students are choosing St. Mary’s, and the University is working toward its goal of enrolling 2,500 students. New spaces are needed to support this growth while preserving the personal learning experience that distinguishes St. Mary’s.
Phase 1
Phase 1 includes the MARTINDOME, St. Mary’s first student residence, and scholarships and bursaries. Together, they will strengthen student life, expand access, and create new opportunities to belong.
The MARTINDOME is a new 22,000-square-foot athletics and events facility that will bring Lightning Athletics home. It will include two full-size basketball courts and flexible space for varsity training, recreation, community events, and new athletics programs.
The 100-bed residence at the Father Lacombe Centre will allow students to live on campus for the first time in St. Mary’s history. Shared spaces, academic areas, and a chapel will support learning, connection, and student formation.
Phase 2
Phase 2 is a $50 million investment centred on a new Academic Hall. It will create capacity for enrolment growth, new programs, and enhance student experience.
St. Mary’s is committed to preserving small classes and close relationships with professors. New academic space will allow us to welcome more students without compromising that personal experience.
The Academic Hall will include state-of-the-art classrooms, learning and research spaces, a lecture theatre, and gathering spaces for study and connection. It will also give the School of Education a permanent home and provide space for Arts and Sciences room to grow.
A permanent home will strengthen teacher preparation, graduate programming, and St. Mary’s leadership in Catholic and inclusive education. It will also create a hub for collaboration with educators and school communities.
New learning and research spaces will strengthen the Liberal Arts and Sciences, support existing programs, and create capacity for new academic pathways.
Guided by the Academic Plan, St. Mary’s is creating capacity for a proposed Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Bachelor of Business Administration, and, in time, Master’s in Psychology.
Supporting the Campaign
Yes. Donors may support a Phase 1 priority or help advance the Academic Hall in Phase 2. To discuss your interests, email patience.mbwizhu@stmu.ca.
Yes. To establish a pledge and payment schedule, email patience.mbwizhu@stmu.ca.
Eligible gifts will receive an official tax receipt in accordance with Canada Revenue Agency requirements and University policy. For assistance, email heather.hadden@stmu.ca.
Donors may make one-time gifts, multi-year pledges, gifts of publicly traded securities, or planned gifts. Visit the Building for Purpose giving page to learn more.
Naming opportunities may be available for significant gifts and are subject to University approval. To learn more, email heather.hadden@stmu.ca.
Visit the Building for Purpose website for campaign updates, milestones, events, and stories of impact.
To discuss supporting the campaign, email patience.mbwizhu@stmu.ca.