New-look Old Main officially re-opens in time for law grad

NEWS/ TRU — Thompson Rivers University’s Old Main building, home to one of Canada’s newest law schools, officially reopened today after a $20.2-million revitalization project.

The redesigned facility — its rooflines intended to reflect the shape of Mounts Peter and Paul — includes more than 4,135 square metres of new learning space constructed using locally harvested, beetle-killed pine.

Additional “green” features include new energy-efficient heating and cooling systems to complement passive solar energy collection, as well as high-value insulation.

Today’s official re-opening will be followed Saturday by the inaugural convocation for TRU Faculty of Law. The 71 graduating law students, their faculty, staff and families will be joined by local, provincial and national lawmakers—including honorary degree recipients, former premier Gordon Campbell and Hon. Lance Finch, retired chief justice of the B.C. Court of Appeal.

“This re-invention of Old Main is an important expression of TRU’s vision for the future,” said Thompson Rivers University president Alan Shaver.

“TRU’s first graduating class of law students and each subsequent graduate will carry a tremendous sense of this place with them as they move forward with their careers.”

The provincial government contributed $7.4-million of the $20.2 revitalization.

Old Main was the original building at the former Cariboo college when it opened in 1971.