Communication Services

Architects unveiled their blueprints to local MLAs and MPs Oct. 15 during a ground breaking event for the $19.7 million Technical Education Centre at CNC’s Prince George campus.

Representatives from McFarlane, Green and Biggar Architects presented plans to Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Shirley Bond and Minister of Forests and Range Pat Bell as well as Prince George-Peace River MP Jay Hill, after the group toured the construction site.

In April, 2009, CNC received almost $30 million from the federal and provincial governments to build and renovate buildings at its campuses in Prince George and Quesnel.

    “Today’s groundbreaking event demonstrates that the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, which the Government of Canada launched as part of our Economic Action Plan, is on track,” said Hill.  “Our investment in the new Technical Education Centre is creating local jobs now, while providing the infrastructure that the College of New Caledonia needs to deliver quality education and training in the years to come.”

A new trades and technology training building is also being built in Quesnel for $9.8 million.

“This is an exciting day for the College of New Caledonia as it continues to expand and provide more learning opportunities for this area,” said Bond, MLA for Prince George-Valemount. “We have outstanding post-secondary facilities in Prince George. This new Technical Education Centre will allow us to train more students closer to home.”

The projects will also provide a substantial economic stimulus for Prince George and the Central Interior region, with 126 jobs created over the two-year-construction project in Prince George, and 62 jobs created in Quesnel.

“We are working to find solutions that help people in the Central Interior succeed in reaching their educational goals,” said Bell, MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie. “This project is creating local jobs now and will help people gain the skills they need for future employment.”

The funding also lead to the completion of renovations to the John Brink Trades and Technology Building in Prince George, with several offices and classrooms being built for electrical, carpentry and automotive students.

It’s the largest single capital investment in the college in more than 30 years, allowing CNC to expand and diversify its technical and trades education.

“It’s wonderful to see us actually breaking ground on this project and being a step closer to providing improved and expanded instructional space for our students,” said CNC President John Bowman. “The local MLAs and MPs really fought hard for this funding and we very much appreciate their efforts.”

Completion of this project will enable the addition of 360 full-time equivalent (FTE) student training spaces in Prince George, which is about 10 per cent of the college’s current enrolment. Over time, there will also be an additional 22 instructor and staff positions created in Prince George.

The TEC building in Prince George will replace the existing 48-year-old trades training building called the 800 Block. The TEC building will accommodate a total of 792 FTE student spaces. Red Seal trades and other technical programs to be delivered in the new building include: welding, machinist, industrial mechanic/millwright, planermill technician, automotive collision repair, plumbing, engineering technology, mining technician, process operations, transportation and logistics, and environmental technician.   
      
The TEC building will include a total area of about 75,067 square feet of instructional shops, classrooms, lab and office space.  It is scheduled for completion in February 2011.

Quesnel

The $9.8 million for Quesnel will complete Phase 2 of the North Cariboo Community Campus project. It will more than double the current spaces in Quesnel for technical and trades training to 276 FTE from the current 136 being delivered at Maple Drive Junior Secondary School. When complete it will also have capacity for an additional 14 instructor and staff positions.

“The 28,675 square feet building will have four teaching shops, eight classrooms, two computer labs and 10 offices,” said Quesnel Regional Director Betsy Ives.

“The building will accommodate a variety of trades and technical programs, including: Welding, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, mechanics, power engineer, and horticulture.”

Representatives from McFarlane, Green and Biggar Architects presented plans to Cariboo-Prince George MP Dick Harris and Minister of Small Business Iain Black, who toured CNC’s Quesnel campus along with other local dignitaries.

“This event brings us one step closer to the expansion of this great campus of the College of New Caledonia,” said Harris. “This is great news for students, faculty and the region not only for today, but tomorrow.  The funding and support from all levels of government points to a quick and effective generation of economic activity and job creation.”

 “In today’s economic climate, more students will choose to go back to school,” said Iain Black, Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development on behalf of Moira Stilwell, Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development. “Our partnership with the federal government is helping them do that by providing more choices and increased access, closer to home.”
In April, 2009, CNC received almost $30 million from the federal and provincial governments to build and renovate buildings at its campuses in Prince George and Quesnel.     

“It’s wonderful to be a step closer to providing improved and expanded instructional space for our students,” said CNC President John Bowman.  “Provincial and federal representatives really fought hard for this funding and we very much appreciate their efforts.”
The projects will also provide a substantial economic stimulus for the area, with 126 jobs created over the two-year-construction project in Prince George, and 62 jobs created in Quesnel.


For more information:

Randall Heidt
Manager, Communication Services
College of New Caledonia
250-561-5869, Cell: 250-640-6161