Below is the original news release published at the time of this event. While some references are no longer current, the article provides details about important milestones in Loyalist’s history.
[BELLEVILLE, Ontario, June 20, 2011] — Daryl Kramp, Member of Parliament for Prince Edward-Hastings, along with Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Education and Member of Provincial Parliament for Prince Edward-Hastings, and Loyalist College President Maureen Piercy were at Loyalist College in Belleville today to officially open the Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre (SSTLSC).
The project received a Government of Canada investment of $8.3 million through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP) and $8.3 million from the Ontario government through the 2009 Budget. The Loyalist Student Government provided funding in the amount of $600,000 for the construction of the Link Lounge, a new student space and gathering area which provided an enhancement to the project.
In Ontario, the Knowledge Infrastructure Program represents a total investment of over $2.2 billion to improve infrastructure at postsecondary institutions. The federal government is investing $798.9 million in 56 KIP projects while the Province of Ontario is providing $981 million toward 49 of those projects. Other partners are contributing a total of more than $400 million in these KIP projects. In addition, the Province is providing $75 million for another eight projects.
“Our government has invested in innovation and knowledge infrastructure to set the foundation for economic prosperity,” said Daryl Kramp, Member of Parliament for Prince Edward-Hastings. “This project not only created jobs for people in our community but also provided the infrastructure that will benefit Loyalist College for years to come.”
“Investing in technology and trades training is vital to Canada’s future economic growth,” said Minister Dombrowsky, MPP Prince Edward-Hastings. “Our government’s support for skilled trades and teaching facilities has created jobs, while giving researchers and students the tools to meet the needs of today’s industry and labour markets.”
“We are pleased to have been given the privilege of building this Centre on our campus, to serve the citizens of our region,” said Loyalist College President Maureen Piercy. “Whether through full-time post-secondary studies, apprenticeship, or Corporate training for updating skills, this Centre will serve to strengthen the workforce of our area and the economic prosperity of our province. The Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre, where technology, skills and science meet – will help build our communities and our economy. Thank you to our partners in the federal and provincial governments, for helping to make this a reality.”
The new Centre will be a multi-use facility for technology and trades training. Combining renewed “green” space and new space, the SSTLSC will showcase the integration of green design and technologies into a learning environment. The state-of-the-art facility will be dedicated to a wide range of skills training, including leading edge programs in manufacturing, skilled trades, biotechnology and environmental sciences.
The Centre will support economic development in the local communities by offering pre-employment, apprenticeship and post-secondary programs as well as customized courses designed to meet the changing needs of the industry and the labour market.
As part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada introduced the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, a two-year, $2-billion economic stimulus measure to maintain and improve research and training facilities at Canadian universities, colleges and CEGEPs. The program is providing economic stimulus, creating jobs, and generating the advanced technological infrastructure needed to keep Canadian institutions at the forefront of scientific advancement and ensure economic growth in the future.
The Government of Ontario is investing more than $1 billion in infrastructure at colleges and universities to modernize facilities and boost long-term research and skills training capacity.
This investment is part of the government’s Open Ontario plan to help to build the most highly skilled and educated workforce in the world, giving Ontario the competitive edge in securing a strong economy for the future.
For more information on the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, visit the Knowledge Infrastructure Program website.
For information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit the Canada’s Economic Action Plan website.
For information about how the Government of Ontario is helping to build and revitalize infrastructure across the province, please visit: www.infrastructureapp.mei.gov.on.ca/en/.
To learn more about the Government of Ontario’s Open Ontario Plan, visit: www.ontario.ca/openontario.
Loyalist College President Maureen Piercy, Daryl Kramp, Member of Parliament for Prince Edward-Hastings, Stuart Wright, Chair of the Loyalist College Board of Governors and Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Education and Member of Provincial Parliament for Prince Edward-Hastings
Loyalist College President Maureen Piercy, Daryl Kramp, Member of Parliament for Prince Edward-Hastings, Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Education and Member of Provincial Parliament for Prince Edward-Hastings and Stuart Wright, Chair of the Loyalist College Board of Governors
– 30 –
For further information (media only), please contact:
Gary Toft
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
Tel.: 613-943-7602
Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities:
Annette Phillips
Minister’s Office
416-326-5748
annette.phillips@ontario.ca
Dianne Spencer
Executive Director, College Advancement & External Relations
Loyalist College
613-969-1913, ext. 2235
dspencer@loyalistc.on.ca
To return to the History Timeline, click here.