Steinbach Bible College (SBC) is looking forward to relocating their campus into what was previously the Steinbach Family Medical Centre on Loewen Boulevard.
Steinbach City Council held a public hearing and gave second reading to rezone 333 Loewen Boulevard from Commercial Regional Zone (C4) to Educational and Institutional Zone (EI).
There were no objections at the public hearing, with feedback from the neighborhood seeming to be quite positive.
Dave Reimer, President of SBC, says they have spoken with about ten of the neighbours, and all of the conversations have been positive so far.
“I've had four different property owners contact me and say, 'Do you need a place to house students? We have a couple of apartments for rent. We want to build an apartment for you for student housing.’ Somebody else offered to sell us their house because they're right across the street, and then I've had one neighbor that's very excited about having a college close by.”
Reimer says SBC believes the new location is amazing.
“It allows us a distinct identity from Steinbach Christian School. It moves us out of an industrial area with complicated access on the wrong side of the freeway into the heart of Steinbach, with access to housing around.”
He adds that it puts them closer to Steinbach's green spaces and parks, the churches they serve, some of the spaces they can use, and closer to RRC Polytech, where they have program partnerships.
“It puts us close to a number of the student service learning opportunities like Steinbach Community Outreach, Bridgepark, Bethesda Place and the hospital, and it's near the Southeast Events Centre as well.”
Providing some background, Reimer says that the combined board of SBC and Steinbach Christian School (SCS) divided the schools into two separate organizations five years ago.
They agreed that when growth necessitated it, SCS would move into SBC spaces and SBC would move elsewhere.
“SCS is experiencing encouraging growth. They need to double their spaces, and so the time has come, SBC will be moving to a new building in two years, September 2026.”
Abe Bergen with SBC assures they have been in communication with structural engineers, civil engineers, mechanical engineers, and architects.
“And we are confident that the integrity of the building is worth building on.”
He says they have thought a lot about where to put the dorms.
They plan for two floors of dorm space above the library and chapel.
“And then there are a number of apartments nearby that can serve married students and more independent students as well.”
Bergen adds Crossview Church has been very open to collaboration regarding gym space.
“They have a gymnasium that's typically vacant during the week. Currently sharing a campus with SCS, SBC does not have access to a gymnasium.”
Councillor Susan Penner says she is personally excited about this as she used to work at SBC.
“And I just think this is a great next step for SBC, and of course, for SCS, as they're growing too.”
She says it’s really encouraging to see people in our community who care so much about students and raising student leaders.
“And I've often heard that the students who graduate from that school are students that employers want to hire, that churches want to have in their congregations, and I think that's a real testament to the quality of education, but also that faith perspective, where they are raising students of integrity to better serve our community.”
Penner is very pleased with the project.
“And quite frankly, I would think the neighborhood would be very pleased as well because going from a C4 to this designation is actually a real benefit to that area, I think.”
Councillor Jac Siemens says this is an exciting project for the area.
“Loewen Boulevard has educational institutions, it has churches, it has a variety of different things, and this just adds to that. It's on a major road, so that fits.”
Siemens says he always appreciates people repurposing buildings.
“And I also appreciate the fact that you have more than ample parking on site for what your needs are.”
He adds that he lives in the area and has talked to some of the neighbours as well.
“And I heard no complaints from anybody what the proposal is, I've heard nothing negative at all."