WMI gets hammered


Earlier this month, and with the full support of the community behind it, Western Maritime Institute (WMI), began construction on their brand new student housing facilities. The building located next to the main institute building, nestled under a canopy of large trees, will initially house eight students attending the school for maritime training. Anticipated to open in April 2013, the new facilities makes a logical addition to the growing 6 hectare campus, located near Nanaimo, on beautiful Vancouver Island.

Students enrolled at WMI will be able to stay at the new facility, saving them from commuting and those extensive associated costs. The new student accommodation building is professionally designed, fully built to code, and will feature eight study cabins. Each room will have its own outside entrance and private bathroom; the units also have extra sound dampening built in. The building is covered by an all around veranda, to aid in relaxing after an intense day learning
 
Like a ship, common laundry facilities and bed linens will be provided. Cooking area is provided, adjacent to the student lounge in the nearby main building. The lounge will feature an entertainment center, and serve as a place to socialize. Wireless internet access will be provided at no extra cost. 

WMI advises that room rates will start at $38 per night for those people staying 28 days or more. Weekly rates will be $50 per night and short stay accommodation will cost $60 per night. For those who prefer not to cook their own meals, the nearby Timberland Pub offers meals for WMI students, costing $50 per day. The meals packages consist of a cooked breakfast, packed sandwich lunch, and dinner - taking one more worry away from students.

Taking maritime specific courses in Canada will now be most accessible at WMI. The Nanaimo Airport (YCD) is five minutes away, and  serviced by Air Canada and Westjet; fly in fly out training packages can be more easily budgeted for by companies. The airport is also serviced by Greyhound bus service, which runs numerous buses up and down Vancouver Island, daily. The campus’ close proximity to BC Ferries terminal(s) to the mainland, and the Island Highway, connecting Victoria to Port Hardy, allows easy driving access, with plenty of free parking on site.

The lower overall costs of accessing highly specialize maritime training courses will be more manageable for seasoned and aspiring mariners. I believe it is the first maritime institution in Canada to offer these kinds of facilities on site. Attached, are some pictures I took a couple of weeks ago, last week when I drove by, the roof was already up, with construction progressing rapidly.

Western Maritime Institute is locate between Nanaimo and Ladysmith on Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. They offer, primarily, deck certification training and the full suite of Marine Emergency Duties (MED) and related TC / STCW95 approved training onsite - including advance firefighting and rescue craft. For more details and information on WMI's offerings please visit their website.

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