Yuel family donates $2M for Sask. Polytechnic’s new campus campaign

Article content

As Saskatchewan Polytechnic looks to a future that includes a new campus, a local philanthropist says he wants to have a hand in what’s to come.

The school on Tuesday announced a $2 million donation from Greg Yuel and the Yuel family toward Polytechnic’s $100-million Time to Rise campaign. The fundraising efforts are in support of the construction of a new Saskatoon campus at Innovation Place on University of Saskatchewan land.

Article content

In recognition of the contribution, Sask. Polytechnic is establishing the Yuel Family Collaborative Learning Space, a gathering and study area for students.

Yuel is president and CEO of PIC Investment Group, which oversees more than three dozen subsidiaries or minority investments that operate in the energy, technology, skilled trades, aviation and tourism sectors in Saskatchewan.

“Employees and business partners of PIC Investment Group’s operating companies, both now and in the future, are more likely to be armed with a Sask. Polytech education,” Yuel said on Tuesday.

“As we move toward robotics in our distribution and manufacturing businesses, our packagers become technical equipment operators. Our real estate business relies on skilled trades within our leadership team and among our partners. Our transportation business and our tourism business excel thanks to education offered by Sask. Polytech.

“I appreciate the fact that Sask. Polytech is a province-wide institution that is aligned with the needs of industry. It provides relevant education that meets the current demands and future growth requirements of industry. It’s through this type of collaboration that we can succeed as a province and I want to be part of that.”

Article content

Article content

The new campus location, which has been discussed for around a decade, was officially announced in September 2023 as a replacement for the aging facilities on Idylwyld Drive.

At that time, Premier Scott Moe said the project would create an “innovation corridor” that could harness the best of Sask. Polytech, the U of S and Innovation Place all in one area, with the potential to benefit the province for decades.

“The Yuel family is known province-wide for their generosity, humility and dedication to charitable causes,” Saskatchewan Polytechnic president and CEO Larry Rosia said on Tuesday, adding that their “philanthropic spirit continues to be an important influence” in the city and province.

The campus in Saskatoon is comprised of decentralized, outdated buildings around the city. Officials have said the new campus will offer modern, technology-rich learning opportunities.

The core campus on Idylwyld Drive was built in the 1940s as a vocational school, and many of the buildings are outdated and in need of costly maintenance.

Rosia said last fall that enrolment has grown to the point the school’s operations are spread over 13 locations in Saskatoon, many in leased buildings. Rosia said it’s inefficient to operate in such a manner.

Article content

Major donations thus far to the capital campaign have included $25 million from Joseph Remai, $15 million from potash giant Nutrien and $7.5 million from the Dube family, which owns and operates the Concorde Group.

In recognition of those contributions, the new campus will be named after Joseph A. Remai; Nutrien will be the title supporter of Polytechnic’s School of Mining, Manufacturing and Engineering Technologies; and the nursing school at the new campus will be named the Leslie and Irene Dube School of Nursing.

The Saskatoon Star Phoenix has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe.

With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark thestarphoenix.com and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.

Article content