Millwork Home Centre, known as one of Oshawa’s most established one-stop building supply centres, was on hand at Durham College’s Whitby campus on Friday, May 25 to help build futures through a very generous $10,000 donation toward Phase 2 of the college’s three-phase Building for our Future initiative. 

The donation, presented by owner Rob Lupton, was given to support the high-efficiency green home that features open walls and the latest in environmentally friendly and energy-efficient technologies ranging from heated flooring to tank-less water heaters and exposed plumbing and insulation.

The home will serve as a living lab for students enrolled in the Plumber (apprenticeship) and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Techniques programs, enabling them to see firsthand the many different furnaces and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems available to today’s consumers.  

“Mr. Lupton’s contribution is another generous acknowledgement by the community that Durham College is providing facilities for learning that are truly relevant to the marketplace,” said David Chambers, associate vice-president, Durham College Office of Development. “On behalf of our president, Don Lovisa and the students of the Whitby campus we are genuinely grateful.”

The new high-efficiency green home, identified as Learning Lab 1, is located beside an older home with dated technology and wiring that was transported to the Whitby campus from Banting Street in Oshawa in January 2011. Together the homes effectively demonstrate the many changes that have occurred in the construction and building trades’ field over the years including how homes were previously built and ways to retrofit older homes.

A 1976 graduate of Durham College’s Business Administration – Marketing program, Lupton was thrilled when he heard about the project and intrigued with the way the college is incorporating green technology into its skilled trades training.

“We are supplying builders in this area and I want to help ensure the students get the education they need so they can move on to obtain good jobs in the construction industry,” said Lupton. “We are proud to be a part of this exciting initiative and look forward to being involved with teaching good, proper construction methods.”

His father opened Millwork Home Centre 62 years ago with Lupton himself picking up some of his own home renovation skills along the way, having worked in the industry for the last 36 years.

Dedicated to providing students with the most effective learning environment possible, Building for our Future has been underway since 2010. Phase 1 opened in December 2009 and includes a comprehensive learning facility designed to train students in renewable energy with the second phase opening in May 2011. In addition to both of the homes, it houses new energy labs, an expanded shop area for student-use and programs focused on green building trades and technology.

The final phase of the expansion, the new Centre for Food, is set to open in September 2013.

“Durham College’s Whitby campus is continually growing with generous community support,” added Chambers.  “We are very grateful to all our donors.”