A $5.5 million renovation to the Happy Valley-Goose Bay campus of College of the North Atlantic is nearing completion. The Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education, recently toured the facility and is pleased to report the extension will transform the campus, creating an entirely new environment for students and faculty.

"Government was intent on seeing the renovations to this campus completed as quickly as possible," said Minister Burke. "We approved funding for the full cost of the project last August to ensure the college in Happy Valley-Goose Bay is able to meet demands for training. This is an impressive project with a tremendous amount of work already completed."

The multi-million dollar, two-story extension is more than 1,800 square metres, and provides additional space for new classrooms, two lecture theatres, a library, increased common areas and offices. Part of the funding, approximately $400,000, has been directed to provide new resources, including furnishings for the library and student centres, computers, white boards and audio/video equipment.

The Honourable John Hickey, minister responsible for Labrador Affairs and MHA for Lake Melville, joined Minister Burke for the tour of the campus. "The young minds being molded at the college will become the future leaders of Labrador and they need access to the best resources available," said Minister Hickey. "I'm happy to say this funding will provide a better educational experience for these students."

The addition will also house the Labrador Institute of Memorial University, and college programming such as the Comprehensive Arts and Science Transfer Year and the Integrated Nursing Access program.

Bob Simms, campus administrator, is delighted with the progress, saying, "This project is providing a greater capacity for post-secondary training in Labrador that builds on the strengths of both the college and Memorial University. It will clearly take us into a new phase of service to the region, particularly with the two institutions working together in the spirit of government�s White Paper."

In July 2005, government released the White Paper, Foundation for Success, a three-year, $90 million commitment to the public post-secondary system, with the goal of creating stronger educational opportunities for all areas of the province, and seeing more students� avail of post-secondary opportunities.

"We are seeing very tangible initiatives across the college and university system as a result of the White Paper investments. These initiatives are being supported by funding for infrastructure, which is evident not only at the Happy Valley-Goose Bay campus but also in Labrador West, where government has allocated $1 million to assess specific requirements at that facility," said Minister Burke.

To date, approximately 70 per cent of the work at the Happy Valley-Goose Bay is complete. The project is on schedule and will be ready for students in May.

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Photo #1: Bob Simms, campus administrator gives a tour to Joan Burke, Minister of Education and John Hickey, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs.

Media contact:
Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 689-2624
jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca