University of King’s College is pleased to announce a gift of $1 million from the Alpha Aquilae Foundation, the family foundation of its Chancellor Debra Deane Little and her husband Bob Little, to initiate the redevelopment plan for the southeast corner of King’s campus. A residence that could double King’s current bed count is at the nexus of the new facility.
“Bob and I are excited to provide the financial catalyst to ignite progress toward this bold new idea at King’s,” says Chancellor Debra Deane Little. “We continue to invest in the admiration we hold for the exceptional educational experience offered at King’s, which includes its vibrant living-learning community. We are excited to get behind a project that will allow more students to experience the uniqueness of King’s.”
Destined to be located on the corner of the King’s Quad that currently houses its outdated gymnasium, the new facility will be home to a new gym and wellness centre below grade; community access to a street-level home for the School of Journalism, Writing & Publishing; student supports space; and up to six stories of accessible, flexible residence space to accommodate up to 250 more beds.
The gift of $1 million enables King’s to build on a completed space study by accelerating the next phases of planning for the project, including concept drawings and design work. The process for selecting an architectural firm will begin in the near future.
“We thank Debra and Bob for the generosity they continue to bestow on our forward-looking plans and the excitement they share with us as our college community comes together to re-imagine the future King’s,” says William Lahey, King’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “There are numerous transformational elements woven throughout the vision for this development, including a new residence. Our ability to welcome a greater number and a more diverse population of first year residence students, as well as more upper year students, graduate students and their families, will broaden the residential community of King’s—enriching college life for all.”
Photo of Chancellor Deane Little and Robert Little by Kelly Clark
