Centennial College officially opens Downsview Campus

From left: Brian Stewart, territory manager, Haas Factory Outlet, A Division of Sirco Machinery Co. Ltd.; Donald Wang, Centennial chair, Aerospace Manufacturing Engineering Technology (AMAT); Patrick Kelly, dean, Centennial School of Engineering Technology and Applied Science (SETAS); Tim Repetsky, Centennial, machine shop lab technologist, AMAT; Brad Chapman, Centennial CFO/VP business development; Christine Williams, former Centennial College governor; Peter Zierhut, managing director, Haas Automation Europe, vice-president and founding member, Haas Automation Inc., secretary and director, The Gene Haas Foundation; Jakub Szczepanski, Centennial coordinator, AMAT; Dan Ferko, president, Haas Factory Outlet, A Division of Sirco Machinery Co. Ltd.; and Rahim Karim, Centennial AVP, Partnerships, Pathways and Internationalization. Photo courtesy of Centennial College.

On April 25, 2019, more than 400 people including students, politicians, and industry experts gathered at Centennial College’s Downsview Campus Centre for Aerospace and Aviation for its grand opening. Although students have been studying at the campus for the past few months, the college took the opportunity to show off its new, $72 million, state-of-the-art facility located on the historic site of de Havilland of Canada.

Alan McClelland, dean, School of Transportation, kicked off the event with opening remarks about the history of the site and the challenges of developing the facility. Originally build in 1929, the site housed several historic buildings and the new 12,700-sq.-ft. facility was carefully constructed to include these remnants to pay homage to Canada’s contributions to the aerospace industry throughout history.

The complex includes classrooms, labs, workshop spaces, two aircraft hangars, offices, a library, and food services, all under one roof. This project, which has been in the works for several years, finally came to fruition under the leadership of Ann Buller, president and CEO of the college, who was thanked by all speakers for her tenacity and commitment to the project.

Buller, who is set to retire this spring, said that the project is a collaborative effort bringing together people from across politics and the industry to help build a strong educational foundation for aerospace manufacturing in Canada. She began by thanking H. Bruce MacRitchie, whose Aviation Technician Scholarship is named in memory of his late brother Douglas, who returned to the college to furnish it with new gifts amounting to more than $1 million worth of small aircraft, engines, equipment, and funds.

“Thank you so much; I know our students have been thrilled with the beautiful piper warriors,” said Buller. “Helicopters also play a vital role in Canadian airspace. We’ve received significant gifts in the form of retired aircraft from two major helicopter operators, the Canadian Coast Guard, and Orange Air Ambulance service. I would also be remiss if I did not recognize the contributions of Safran Landing Systems and their support of landing gear projects.”

Buller also recognized the support from Bombardier and its backing of Centennial College. In 2012 the aerospace manufacturer signed an MRU with Centennial College that recognized the college as its institution of choice for aircraft training. She added that this marked the beginning of a beautiful friendship, and now the two partners are neighbours. Bombardier also donated a Canada-made CRJ200, the world's best-selling regional jet, that was on display just outside the aircraft hangar.

“I’m also delighted to announce that we are receiving a cheque today from the U.S.-based Gene Haas Foundation, a founding member of Haas Automation Inc. Managing director Peter Zierhut, has brought us a cheque for US$250,000, equivalent to CDN$335,000. That incredible donation will support our CNC lab at the school of engineering technology and applied science. Take some time to walk through the labs and see some of the amazing technology.”

The Gene Haas Advanced Manufacturing Lab includes 10 Haas machines -- five CNC lathes and five CNC 5-axis milling machines. Along with the Haas equipment, the lab is also set up with both Haas and FANUC controllers, a Hexagon TIGO SF coordinate measuring machine, a collaborative robot, a Makino EDM, and a metrology centre with a Stratasys Fortus 450mc 3D printer.

“We are so excited to be associated with this educational facility, and having the CNC machine tool training lab called the Gene Haas Advanced Manufacturing Lab is truly something we are all very proud of,” said Dan Ferko, president of Sirco Machinery. “I really feel Centennial College is an important educational facility for our industry, and the grand opening was a very special day for Canadian manufacturing and education.”