Donor gifts fund the University’s first student residence, on-campus athletics facility, and scholarship support—expanding opportunities for students and recreation space in southeast Calgary.
CALGARY, AB October 5 — St. Mary’s University, Calgary’s Catholic liberal arts and sciences university, has celebrated the successful completion of Phase 1 fundraising for Building for Purpose, its largest fundraising campaign in its 40-year history, with a $15 million investment. This first phase of the campaign will bring to life the University’s first on-campus athletics facility, student residence, and scholarships and bursaries.
During a celebration on September 23rd, President Dr. Scott Morrison announced the completion of the phase and two families whose leadership gifts are making the athletics centre and student residence possible.
The athletics centre was funded by a generous gift from Greg and Joanne Martin. The MARTINDOME will be the university’s first on-campus athletics facility and home for the St. Mary’s University Lightning Athletics program. “The Lightning competes against the best in the city and province for years and continues to win. Having a space on campus for our athletes to train and compete is a win for students and allows us to expand our program,” says Athletics Director Nathan Ruff. The 22,000 square-foot centre will feature two full-size basketball courts, bringing training and competition onto campus and adding a much-needed recreation space for communities in southeast Calgary.
Once its current residents move into their new location, St. Mary’s will transform the neighbouring Father Lacombe Care Centre into a 100-bed student residence. A project that has been generously funded by Steve and Irene Groch. “At St. Mary’s, we believe in educating the whole person, mind, body, and spirit. Our residences will create a space where students can connect with each other and grow in community,” says President Scott Morrison.
To support the enrolment growth made possible by the new athletics facility and residence, St. Mary’s also dedicated $1.8 million of Phase 1 funding to scholarships and bursaries, helping students access a university education and thrive in their studies.
At a time when most post secondaries are seeing declines in enrollment and revenue, St. Mary’s is recording growth, with 11% over the past year and a projected 13% growth next year. The Building for Purpose campaign is designed to provide the space necessary to accommodate this growth and allow for further expansion of academic programs, including a BBA, BSc Psychology, and a Master of Psychology.
Building on the success of Phase 1, the University is now hard at work on Phase 2 of the campaign: a new Academic Hall, which will house additional classrooms and the University’s award-winning Bachelor of Education program, while providing more space for students to socialize, collaborate, and study.
The completion of Phase 1 demonstrates the impact of donor generosity on St. Mary’s students and the community of southeast Calgary. Morrison says, “This momentum tells us that people believe in St. Mary’s and our vision, we invite everyone to join us on this journey to achieve incredible things.” As the University works with supporters to advance the Academic Hall, this achievement provides a strong foundation for its next chapter of growth and its vision of becoming Canada’s preeminent Catholic university.
From left to right: Gary Strother, Board Chair of St. Mary’s University, Dr. Scott Morrison, President, Bishop William McGrattan, Chancellor, Greg Martin and wife Joanne Martin breaking ground on location of the new St. Mary’s MARTINDOME.