New Fisheries Building

NW CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL, FISHERIES & AQUACULTURE SCIENCES

Where education, workforce development, and conservation meet under one roof.

Launch Date: July, 2008;
Completion Date: January, 2011
Amount to Raise (Phase I): $4.7 Million
Amount to Raise (Phase II): $2.2 Million

Fishing and salmon define life in the Pacific Northwest. For many reasons, we all have a stake in making sure fish and shellfish thrive. BTC is building a state-of-the-art facility to prepare students for high demand jobs in hatchery management, salmon recovery, shellfish production, and habitat restoration.

Our goal is to raise a total of $6.9 million to build the Northwest Center for Environmental, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences. The State of Washington has committed a $2 million matching grant in support of the facility. Our capital campaign is underway to raise the remaining funds, and we are seeking gifts from private individuals, foundations and corporate donors.

The Fisheries Technology building turns 60 years old in 2009. With severe structural and settlement problems, renovation or building improvements are impossible.

Specifically, the current building:
• Lacks office, classroom space, and adequate lab space
• Is extremely energy inefficient (no insulation and single pane windows)
• Does not meet current seismic requirements
• Has outdated heating and electrical systems
• Does not comply with wheelchair accessibility requirements
• Has walls and a roof that are leaking

Learning should take place in classrooms and labs that are well-equipped, smartly designed, safe and functional. Our substandard facility fails in all these respects and cannot accommodate projected program growth.

To learn more about the new building, our fundraising campaign, or the Fisheries program click here.