To celebrate Thompson Rivers University returning to the building the South Cariboo Business Centre is hosting an open house on Wednesday, May 15.
TRU’s new campus will join close to two dozen local businesses offering everything from eyecare to physical fitness. Konrad Schmid-Meil, owner of the business centre, said that his tenants are looking forward to TRU joining them.
“We wanted to do this grand opening for TRU because it’s kind of a special thing to open a big campus in 100 Mile House,” Schmid-Meil said. “A few tenants had asked me about it and I said ‘ok let’s have an open house’. The tenants will have an open house for their businesses and TRU is doing their grand opening at the same time.”
Baldev Pooni, TRU’s dean of trades and technology, said the relocation to the business centre is part of the university’s commitment to providing accessible and high-quality education throughout the Interior. 100 Mile House’s new campus will be connected to TRU’s campuses in Williams Lake and Kamloops using remote technology.
“TRU 100 Mile House is committed to serving students close to their home communities. Students will be able to receive their education and training in areas such as academic preparation, trades, health care, and in other fields, locally,” Pooni said. “These opportunities may directly fulfill personal goals or meet local needs, and they will also serve as starting points toward further study in diplomas and degrees in Kamloops and, where applicable, Williams Lake.”
READ MORE: TRU offers Women in Trades program in 100 Mile
TRU’s open house begins at 1 p.m. Wednesday with members of the public invited to attend and tour their new space. Light refreshments will be provided and members of TRU’s community engagement staff will be on hand to answer any questions and share TRU’s vision for the facility.
Pooni said that TRU envisions the campus, which consists of two classrooms and a testing facility, as a place for students to further their education regardless of their age. Starting this fall TRU will be offering in-person university preparation and academic upgrade courses at TRU 100 Mile House.
“These courses offer the opportunity to refresh knowledge, to test out whether a return to study is for you, and to take those first, all important steps toward further education in a supportive environment,” said Pooni. “Students are more successful living closer to home, in their communities. We can’t promise we can offer all credentials and programs, however, people should be able to make a good start in 100 Mile House and then continue their pathway into further education.”
Schmid-Meil first bought the business centre in 2010 after selling it twice as a realtor while living in the 108 Mile Ranch. Over the last 14 years, he said he’s put a lot of time and effort into renovating and upgrading the business centre. This included over $1 million for a new roof, siding and a brand-new HVAC system.
This isn’t the first time TRU has been in the South Cariboo Business Centre, Schmid-Meil noted. Not long after he first bought the building TRU moved out and seeing them returning to set up a campus fills him with pride.
“I’m very thrilled because this is a wonderful addition to the tenants there. We have so many professional tenants there and now with these new renovations, everything looks so tidy and nice,” Schmid-Meil remarked. “I think it’s an upgrade for the whole town.”
While Schmid-Meil has enjoyed developing the business centre and building relationships with his tenants, with TRU back in the building he’s now looking to sell the business centre and retire. He welcomes anyone with an interest to reach out to him or any of his business partners and come check out the business centre during the grand opening.
“I invite everyone to see how many businesses are combined in one place. I think everyone in 100 Mile House has to do business in this building at some time,” Schmid-Meil said. “So just come in and see what opportunities we have here.”
The interior of Thompson Rivers University’s new campus at the South Cariboo Business Centre. (Photo submitted)

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