Sixteen students from TRU's Residential Construction program received tool belts on Wednesday night, donated by the Canadian Home Builders' Association Central Interior. Each tool belt is worth $500 (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

COMMUNITY DONATION

Local home builders’ association donates $50,000 to TRU, Kamloops Y to celebrate 30 years of the Training House

Sep 11, 2019 | 8:36 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Interior was feeling generous on Wednesday night, donating $50,000 with portions going to Thompson Rivers University and the Kamloops YMCA-YWCA.

The association, which held its annual general meeting at the Colombo Lodge, is celebrating 30 years since the Training House began in partnership with TRU.

With a surplus in this year’s budget, it presented the Dean of Trades and Technology Baldev Pooni with a cheque for $20,000. In total, the school brought home close to $35,000 on Wednesday night.

“What it means to us is we can assist students in this day and age with scholarships and awards to be able to help them through their education,” said Pooni following Wednesday’s AGM.

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TRU’s Dean of Trades & Technology Baldev Pooni accepted a cheque from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Interior worth close to $20,000. In total, the school received $35,000 on Wednesday night (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

The 16 students in attendance, all part of the Resident Construction Foundations course at TRU, also received a free tool belt, each worth $500. The tools, donated by the home builders’ association, are meant to give the students a head start on the job site.

“It feels so great that we’re so welcomed and appreciated by the association and the community in Kamloops,” said TRU student Keaton Carruthers. “They really see these kids going into the course and what they’re doing and are, more or less, looking out for us. Kids come to these events and they leave the night with a job for when they finish.”

The 2020 Training House, being constructed at Orchard’s Walk, is the 30th home built with TRU. CHBA Central Interior President Kelly Reid says it’s been a great partnership over the last three decades.

“Many students who’ve come through the program, many of them are now members of the CHBA and they are involved in the local building community and now giving back and helping to training new, young students,” said Reid. “So we just see that continuing to develop.”

The Kamloops Y has been involved in the construction of the dream home for 23 of the 29 years it’s been in operation. The non-profit has been a major beneficiary of the partnership, netting about $400,000 for each home after expenses are paid.

On Wednesday night, the home builders’ association announced it would be giving the Y $15,000. It’s a big boost to an organization that is in transition as it tries to right the financial ship after losses in the past two years.

“This is a great gift,” said Kamloops Y CEO Colin Reid. “It comes at a time that allows us to put resources to help families and young children and to build a sense of community and to ensure that people have equal opportunity to participate.”

The CHBA Central Interior also said Wednesday it will be increasing the Training House reserve from $40,000 to $60,000. It would be meant to cover the cost of a more expensive lot. The association wants to ensure the dream home is built for another 30 years.