CBC/CTS plans move to Calgary
REGINA, SK - A 60-year-old institution is planning to bid farewell to Regina and say hello to Calgary.
Canadian BibleCollege/Canadian Theological Seminary has decided to move–but not yet. Selling the current campus and finding a new one is expected to take about two years, says communication director Norm Morrison.
The process of choosing Calgary as the new location has also taken some time. After four years of homework, Calgary was picked over Edmonton or a new campus in Regina because the city "offers the best overall potential and opportunities" for students and faculty, says board chair Ken Burkart.
Calgary is larger and offers more possibilities for academic partnering, explains president George Durance. "There is definite support [from staff and faculty] for this decision and the prospects for future training and equipping opportunities in Calgary," he adds.
Calgary also has a larger base of Christian and Missionary Alliance churches, which support the school, says Morrison.
Students surveyed nationally indicated they preferred Calgary to Edmonton or Regina, notes college academic dean Ken Draper. "Relocation is part of a broader plan to respond to their requests for a wider range of courses, more credit transfers to universities, and more academic and vocational training options."
Bigger is better
Ray Downey, dean of the seminary, adds that seminaries "seem to do better when they are situated in larger metropolitan areas." The seminary often attracts professionals who want to upgrade their training, he notes. And Calgary apparently has the highest percentage of people with university degrees in Canada.
The schools are broadening programs, Morrison adds. "We want room to expand." The current campus isn't adequate for expanded programs, he explains.
The campus will be put on the market for about $4 million. If the schools were to stay in Regina, they would require $16 million in renovations and expansion, says Morrison. Another $4 million would provide a new facility.
The college and seminary together have a current enrollment of about 540 students. The number is slightly down from last year, says Morrison, but that dip follows a three-year steady increase.
Some of the seminary's expansion is off-site. CTS began a partnership with ACTS (Associated Canadian Theological Schools) in Langley, B.C. last fall. Plans are now in place for CTS-East, an urban ministries training centre, to open in Toronto next fall.
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