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Red Deer Polytechnic

The Queens are off to the gold medal at the ACAC Championships

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It was a battle of South Division rivals in the first semi-final match of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Women’s Soccer Championship (ACAC). The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens and the Lethbridge College Kodiaks would battle it out in their third match-up of the season. The Queens took both matchup in the regular season and were looking to make it 12 straight wins.

It was all Queens to kick-off this semi-final matchup. The Kodiaks had trouble counterattacking and could not seem to find a way out of their own zone with the team from Red Deer putting on a lot of pressure. This pressure and the wind factor kept the Kodiaks inside their own zone for the first 17 minutes of the match.

The Kodiaks could not sustain the pressure any long and the Queens opened the scoring in the 19th minute. The backline would pass it up to All-Conference Sofia Quinteros in the middle who would spring a pass and send Captain Alisha Coules off to the races. She would slide it pass Kodiaks goalkeeper Jordan Quinn to put the Queens up 1-0.

With a hard foul just outside the 18-yard box, the Queens were awarded a free kick from 19 yards out. Sofia Quinteros would take the free kick and place it just wide of the top right corner of the Kodiaks net, keeping it a 1-0 game in the 25th minute. But the first ranked South Division team kept applying the pressure, hoping to break that backline of the Kodiaks and take a 2-0 lead in the first half. S

The Red Deer Polytechnic really is showing why they were the number one ranked team from the South Division coming into this match. The Queens look composed and want the ball compared to the Kodiaks panicking and just kicking it away when they get the chance. The Lethbridge team looked like they were just nervous and did not want to receive the ball.

A bit of concern for the Queens team when Rookie of the Year Sein Furuyama was slow to get up after taking a hit at centerfield, but she was able to get up and walk it off.

Furuyama would draw a foul late in the first half just outside of the 18-yard box for Sofia Quinteros but she can’t seem to find her footing as she put it up and wide by a few feet yet again.

Momemnts later, it was the Queens to take a foul just outside of their box in their own after striker Ashley Sazalski was taken down on a partial breakaway. Kodiaks midfielder Olivia DePasquale would take the free kick and ring it off the crossbar. But Lethbridge was given a second opportunity off the rebound and just headed it wide.

Seconds before the end of the half, the Queens were battling in the middle of the field, and it was Estel Quinteros this time sending Furuyama off on a breakaway. She would take a few touches into the box and put it home past Quinn who came out to challenge her but could not get a piece of it. This put the Queens up 2-0 right before halftime.

There was a major stoppage in play with the Kodiaks keeper going down hard with what looked like a knee injury but was able to stay in the game after getting taped up. But moments later, Quinn was taken out of the game as she was still feeling the injury and could not carry on.

After the Queens took a foul near the 30-yard line, the Kodiaks were awarded a free kick where DePasquale would step over it and the ball hit the crossbar yet again. It would rebound into the middle of box and defender Taylor Hrycun headed it home to cut into the lead early in the second half.

On the other end of the pitch, the Queens were able to put some more pressure on the Kodiaks and get a shot off. The ball beat the newly substituted Kodiaks goalkeeper Brooke Krowchuk but was shot wide.

There was a close chance for the Kodiaks when the Queens were playing with the ball in their own box and some pressure from striker Montanna Rousselle almost tied the game up at two. But Sofia Quinteros was able to clear the ball just in the time. This led to a goal chance for the Queens and tested Krowchuk but she made a diving save. This big save kept the Kodiaks down by just one.

After a free kick, Sazalski of the Kodiaks received the ball in the box. She would briefly beat Jaden Humphrey but the Queens defender was able to tackle Sazalski and kick the ball out for a corner kick. It is safe to say the Kodiaks were definitely putting a lot more pressure on the Queens then they were in the first half.

But the polytechnic was able to keep the Kodiaks to only one goal in the second half and would punch their ticket to the gold medal match at the ACAC Championships. This will take place tomorrow at 3 pm in Raymond at Comet Stadium. They will await the winner of the match between the Concordia University Thunder and the NAIT Ooks.

With the loss, the Kodiaks will play in the bronze medal match tomorrow at 10 am and will face off against the loser of the match between the Thunder and the Ooks

The players of the game went to Alisha Coules from the Queens and Nikki Stahl from the Kodiaks. Coules was very aggressive up top in the striker role and would score the first goal of the match. Stahl played all 100 minutes of the match and was great defensively, stopping the Queens offensive on countless occasions.

Education

$13 million for RDP’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing-Technology Access Centre in Alberta Budget

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Provincial funding to expand RDP’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing (CIM-TAC) will significantly boost applied learning and research opportunities

Expansion of Red Deer Polytechnic’s nationally recognized Technology Access Centre will provide more than 2,400 students direct and indirect innovative learning opportunities by 2030.

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) is celebrating a significant capital investment of $13 million by the provincial government to expand RDP’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing-Technology
Access Centre (CIM-TAC). The funding was announced today as part of the Government of Alberta’s 2024 budget.

“Red Deer Polytechnic is playing a critical role supporting technological innovation while creating opportunities for students. That’s why Alberta’s Government is making a strategic investment to expand the CIM-TAC and give RDP even greater capacity to train apprentices and help sectors across our economy remain competitive,” says the Hon. Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education.

“We thank the Government of Alberta for the $13 million provided in Budget 2024 to expand our Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing–Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC). This funding will help create new and innovative teaching and learning spaces at Red Deer Polytechnic, while expanding our applied research capacity to support Alberta based companies,” said Stuart Cullum, President of Red Deer Polytechnic.

“Because of this investment, Alberta based manufacturers across multiple sectors will have greater ability to develop, test and scale their ideas, while RDP students will be engaged at the forefront of made-in-Alberta technologies and manufacturing solutions. This expanded and enhanced innovation ecosystem will enhance productivity and social impact within our province,” said Cullum.

Students in a breadth of RDP’s programs and disciplines already benefit from education and skills-training opportunities within the CIM-TAC each year, through project work, internships, and workshops. The expanded CIM-TAC is anticipated to provide direct learning opportunities to 450 post-secondary students and indirect learning opportunities to an additional 2,000 students by 2030. These opportunities will afford RDP’s students direct interaction with community and industry partners to tackle real-world challenges in manufacturing and
advanced manufacturing. Additionally, over 500 junior and senior high school students will benefit from experiential learning within the CIM-TAC as part of dual-credit opportunities afforded through the Central Alberta Collegiate Institute (CACI).

RDP is Alberta’s third largest provider of skilled trades education. Learners enrolled in RDP’s apprenticeship and technology programs are among those who will benefit from the CIM-TAC expansion as this capital investment will support unique training opportunities.

“With the expansion of Red Deer Polytechnic’s CIM-TAC, our students will gain unparalleled access to advanced manufacturing technologies and immersive learning spaces. Students will have the hands-on experience and expertise needed to excel in the modern manufacturing sector. This expansion underscores our commitment to providing students with the tools and skills necessary to become industry-ready professionals, ensuring they emerge as highly sought-after innovators and contributors to Alberta’s economic prosperity,” says David Pye, Dean, RDP’s School of Trades and Technology.

The provincial Government’s $13 million investment in RDP’s CIM-TAC complements the recently announced historic $20 million gift to RDP from the Donald Family that will establish the Donald Family Institute for Healthtech Innovation. This parallel public and private funding support will be a game-changer for post-secondary training in central Alberta, in particular for healthcare providers and healthtech innovators.

“As RDP’s CIM-TAC grows capacity, it will undoubtedly provide new ways for students and faculty to engage in education and applied research with external health practitioners and researchers in this unique innovation ecosystem. Our students will have even more opportunities to gain valuable skills that prepare them for successful careers while also making meaningful contributions to Alberta’s healthcare sector,” says Heather Dirks, Interim Dean, RDP’s School of Health and Wellness.

Red Deer Polytechnic’s expansion plans for the CIM-TAC are in alignment with the Government of Alberta’s economic and social priorities, including the Ministry of Advanced Education’s 2030: Skills for Jobs Strategy.

This strategy outlines a need to increase student access, build capacity for skills training in technology and trades, and support research and commercialization through the post-secondary sector.

“As one of Canada’s Top 50 Research Polytechnics and Colleges, we already make a significant positive impact across our province and country,” says Dr. Tonya Wolfe, Associate Vice President, Applied Research.

“The future is very bright as we plan for the expansion of our Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing-Technology Access Centre. This means we can create even more impact in productivity in the manufacturing sector through collaboration between students, faculty and industry that help people solve challenges in their daily lives.”

The overall cost of the capital expansion of the CIM-TAC is projected to be approximately $21.3 million. This includes the $13 million provided by the Government of Alberta in Budget 2024, with $4.8 million in capital and equipment provided through Government of Canada grants, and $3.5 million from Red Deer Polytechnic’s own reserves. Construction on Red Deer Polytechnic’s CIM-TAC expansion is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2024.

Quick Facts:
• Red Deer Polytechnic’s expanded CIM-TAC will support a variety of sectors through advanced
manufacturing capabilities including energy innovation, transportation, aviation and agriculture. The Centre will also support RDP’s future expansion into more medical device manufacturing and healthcare innovations to support both patients and providers.
• RDP’s expansion of the CIM-TAC will grow the facility’s footprint from 15,000 square feet to
25,000 square feet.
• The CIM-TAC currently houses $7.6 million of advanced manufacturing equipment. As the facility expands, so too will RDP’s capacity to house additional technologies and equipment used for product development, advanced manufacturing and medical device manufacturing.
• In 2022, Red Deer Polytechnic attracted more than $2 million in applied research investment. RDP also completed 64 projects for 57 companies and participated in more than 1,300 engagements with industry partners.
• Since the CIM-TAC’s inception in 2009, Red Deer Polytechnic has supported more than 300 industry partners (including repeat clients).

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Education

Red Deer Polytechnic celebrates valued partners at 2023 Community Awards

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Red Deer Polytechnic celebrated its 2023 Community Awards which honour the meaningful impact of individuals, partners and alumni who contribute to the success of RDP and its students.

“Red Deer Polytechnic is fortunate have such a strong and vital community of supporters and champions who genuinely care about the future of our institution and its students,” says Stuart Cullum, President of Red Deer Polytechnic. “These awards recognize the individuals and organizations who have helped us deepen our economic and social impact through their selfless contributions and partnership.”

At the ceremony, the following award recipients were honoured:

• Lyn Radford – G.H. Dawe Memorial Award of Excellence

o Lyn Radford is known for her unparalleled and passionate dedication as a community builder and leader. She has contributed to the success of many organizations in support of central Albertans. Her commitment to RDP includes past service as a member of the Board of Governors, and Chairing the 2019 Canada Winter Games Host Society, which contributed to the construction of the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre. Lyn also received an Honorary Degree from RDP in 2019.

• Gord Inglis – Alumni Legacy Award (awarded posthumously)

o Gord contributed to the Polytechnic community for 32 years in a variety of capacities. He served as an instructor, chairperson, athletic director and volleyball coach. Through his leadership and ability to forge positive connections, Gord made a positive impact on his students, colleagues, student-athletes, institution and community. Gord passed away on May 27, 2023, but his legacy lives on.

• Rieley Kay – Distinguished Alumni Award

o As an RDP alum and co-owner of Cilantro & Chive, Rieley has dedicated his time and expertise to support education, charitable causes and communities. Since graduating from RDP in 2010, Rieley has remained closely connected to the institution in several ways, including as a member of the RDP Alumni Association Board of Directors. Through Cilantro & Chive’s Burger of the Month program, Rieley has contributed more than $140,000 to local charities.

• Hockey Alberta – Community Partner Award

o Through Hockey Alberta and the Polytechnic’s partnership, RDP students, athletes and community members have benefited. When Hockey Alberta relocated to the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, the organization had the opportunity to use an inclusive, world-class space as its Provincial Training Centre. This partnership has also facilitated collaborative programming initiatives, along with practicum and field placement opportunities, for Red Deer Polytechnic learners.

For the past 60 years, community members, alumni and partners have enriched Red Deer Polytechnic and the experiences of its learners, as well as creating a positive impact felt across Alberta and beyond.

Each year, RDP is pleased to acknowledge these contributions during its annual Community Awards celebration. These contributions have come in a variety of forms, including through volunteerism, financial support and offering work-integrated learning opportunities to students.

More information about Red Deer Polytechnic’s Community Awards, including how to nominate individuals, is available online.

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