File photo.
Olds College of Agriculture and Technology is preparing for the renovation of the W.J. Elliott (Trades) Building this summer.
The three-year project, funded primarily by the Alberta government, will enhance the building to better serve students and the community.
Before construction begins, some preliminary work will take place around the building, starting with tree removal.
Olds College Arboriculture Technician Certificate students will be playing a key role in the process as part of their hands-on learning.
Instructors will start by removing trees as a demonstration. Near the end of the month, students will assist in tree removal as part of their classroom project, gaining real-world experience in the field.
Last year, the Presidential Trees for Trades Task Force committee was formed to assess the impact of the W.J. Elliott Building renovation on the trees and recommend a course of action.
The committee reviewed each tree thoroughly and provided mitigation recommendations.
Seven clusters of trees around the building have been identified as especially important for educational purposes.
Where possible, these trees will be relocated. If relocation is not feasible, similar trees will be included in the landscaping plan and replanted on campus to preserve the area’s educational and environmental value.
Safety is the college’s top priority during this process, and there is a team working to ensure all necessary safety precautions are in place.
Everyone on campus is asked to respect all signage and caution tape while work is in progress.
The area in front of the Trades building main doors will be blocked off for portions of time during the tree removal.
**With information provided by Olds College of Agriculture and Technology
Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon.
Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@centralalbertaonline.com.
CentralAlbertaOnline encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the CentralAlbertaOnline app.