RDP Breaks Ground on CIM-TAC Expansion

May 09, 2025

A group of RDP and Government of Alberta reps wear hardhats while holding shovels

(left to right) Cori Steele, student and CIM-TAC Animation Creator; the Honorable Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health; Stuart Cullum, President, RDP; Guy Pelletier, Chair, RDP Board of Governors; Jason Stephan, MLA for Red Deer-South; Dr. Tonya Wolfe, Associate Vice President, Applied Research, RDP; Akshun Chauhan, student and CIM-TAC Research Technician

Red Deer Polytechnic officially broke ground on the expansion of its Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing – Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC) on May 9. Scheduled for completion in fall 2026, the expansion will increase the facility’s size from 15,000 to 25,000 square feet.

CIM-TAC serves as an innovation ecosystem, offering companies access to cutting-edge prototyping and manufacturing capacity, along with a multi-disciplinary team of researchers, staff and students who help transform innovative concepts into market-ready products.

“This is an exciting day for Red Deer Polytechnic,” said Stuart Cullum, President of RDP. “The expansion of the CIM-TAC is pivotal to increasing productivity and economic growth in our region by providing more capacity for applied research, as well as education, training and work-integrated learning opportunities for our students.”

A 3D rendering of what the exterior of the new CIM-TAC expansion will look like. Wide glass building — A rendering of the exterior of the new CIM-TAC expansion

Once complete, the expanded centre is expected to offer work-integrated learning experiences for approximately 450 post-secondary students annually, while also providing workshops and training opportunities to another 2,000 students by 2030. Additionally, more than 500 junior and senior high school students will benefit from dual credit programming at the facility.

A 3D rendering of the exterior of the new CIM-TAC expansion showing large windows and an angular frame

The CIM-TAC expansion will enhance RDP’s ability to support a broad range of sectors – including energy innovation, transportation, aviation, and agriculture – through advanced manufacturing solutions. The centre will also grow its capacity in medical device development and health-care innovation, contributing to improved outcomes for both patients and providers.

New classrooms, collaborative spaces, and advanced equipment will be key features of the expanded facility, further strengthening RDP’s role as a leader in advanced manufacturing applied research and innovation.

The Honorable Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health and MLA for Red Deer-South, Jason Stephan joined the RDP Board of Governors, President Stuart Cullum and members of the Applied Research team for the ground-breaking event.

The Government of Alberta supported the expansion project with a $12.9 million investment.

Additional Renderings of the CIM-TAC Expansion

A 3D rendering of what the interior of the new CIM-TAC expansion will look like. Large, spacious, open area with lots of natural light — Interior Rendering

3D rendering showing the inside of the CIM-TAC expansion. A large workshop with high ceilings and lots of natural light — Interior Rendering

A 3D rendering of an interior shared space in the CIM-TAC expansion — Interior Rendering

A 3D rendering of a boardroom in the new CIM-TAC expansion project — Interior Rendering

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