Steinbach Bible College (SBC) has marked the beginning of construction on it's new campus at the former Steinbach Family Medical Centre on Loewen Boulevard.
Tuesday afternoon, the school held a sod turning — or, what has been joked about as a "snow-throwing" — ceremony for the $15 million project, which Superior Projects will oversee.
Dave Reimer, SBC's president, says construction will start in March, and hopes a ribbon cutting can be held ahead of the school year in 2026.
"We'll be starting classes here in Sept. 2026, so that's kind of our target to hopefully have our fundraising done, and hopefully have the building done so that we can move in and do classes," Reimer says.
Most of the money needed for the project, has already been raised.
"There's donors who have given us a good head start, and... Steinbach Christian School's moving into our space, so there's some money coming from that as well," Reimer says.
Currently, he says the school needs another $3.5 million.
He adds the new campus location is the perfect place for the college.
"The space, the property, and the location is amazing because we've got the walkway here, we've got a church next door, we've got Steinbach Community Outreach next door, we've got a Personal Care Home and a hospital, we've got the new Southeast Event Centre center close by, everything that a student needs here is so close by. Red River College is also just up the street and we run some joint programs with them, so there's some things we're really excited about," he explains.
Ted Falk, Member of Parliament for Provencher, and Earl Funk, Mayor of Steinbach, also celebrate the new location.
"It's a day of celebration when something can come together and plans can begin," Falk says.
"It's like Paul says... I planted, Apollos watered, but it was God that gave the increase. We're going to trust God to do that, to provide the increase that we need. To provide the students, to provide the professors, so that we can train up people and individuals to engage the world, to serve in our churches, and lead us in a closer walk with God."
Funk shares a similar sentiment.
"This is a historic moment for our community, and for the bible college. 70 years on the highway, maybe another 70 years here, or maybe 100 years here, that would be just amazing," he says.
The mayor adds the City of Steinbach wants to do its part to make sure the project goes ahead, and extend the legacy of developing and growing servant leaders that work both in the city, but also globally.
"That is what's so exciting. We get the benefit as the City of Steinbach from what happens here at this school, but so does the whole earth that God has created," he says. "Thank you so much for everything that the college does for our community."
From a practical point of view, Funk notes it will also be good to see a building, which has been empty for so long, active again.
Reimer truly appreciates the community support.
"I'm just so thankful for the way that people have come together to make this happen. Whoever I'm talking to is excited about the significance of SBC and raising up servant leaders that follow Jesus, serve the church, and engage the world. Just seeing that enthusiasm about that is very encouraging," he says.