Loyalist College Receives Infrastructure Funding for Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre
Loyalist College has received major capital funding through the Federal Knowledge Infrastructure Program and the provincial infrastructure program to build a Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre. The Federal funding of $8,287,500 was matched by the provincial government to provide a total of $16,575,000 for the project on campus at Belleville. This is the most significant capital infusion in decades, since construction of the main Kente Building in the 1970s, and of the Quinte Industrial Training Centre in the mid-80s.
“We want to recognize and thank our Federal Member of Parliament, Daryl Kramp, and our Provincial Member of Parliament, Leona Dombrowsky, for the support they provided at their respective levels of Government, to help this vision become a reality,” commented Loyalist College President Maureen Piercy. “The Skills Centre will provide flexible space to accommodate many different kinds of learning as training needs change, and will serve a number of programs in the College including Skilled Trades and Biosciences.”
The project received the approval of the College Board of Governors in 2008, and was submitted to the province in September last year. When the Federal Knowledge Infrastructure Program was announced, the project was put forward for consideration through that program in March.
“This is a major campus renewal initiative for the College and we’re very pleased that our proposal has been approved for funding,” said Loyalist Board Chair Margaret Werkhoven. “This exciting project will bring significant economic activity to our region, while providing an outstanding facility for training and education for the skills which will be in demand in the future.”
Work is underway to complete planning and design for the Centre, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2010.
A sustainable project, the construction will incorporate as much green technology as possible, with a goal of qualifying for LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
The project as originally submitted identified a need for a capital campaign of $5 million as a contribution to the building. Today’s announcement of federal and provincial support will completely fund the construction of the Centre. This will allow the College to begin work immediately, and will stimulate related employment.
“Community partners have also expressed great interest in the proposal, and now we will be looking to their support to assist us in equipping the Centre so that the learning environment fully carries out the mission of this leading-edge facility,” said President Piercy.
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Media Contact: Dianne Spencer, Executive Director, College Advancement and External Relations, Loyalist College, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2235; e-mail: dspencer@loyalistc.on.ca