The tender has been called for the construction of a multi-million dollar facility for the College of the North Atlantic in Labrador West. The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, said today this is an important step in the development of the project which will be an asset to the local community as well as the entire Labrador region.

"This is a tremendous investment in the College of the North Atlantic, which we recognize as playing a critical role in the development of a highly skilled workforce to meet the growing demands of industry and the success of such projects as Hebron and the Lower Churchill," said Minister King. "The new facility will allow for the highest quality training programs to help meet the demand for skilled trades workers in our province."

Design planning has concluded and construction will begin shortly after the tender is awarded. The building will accommodate 250 students, but is designed to allow for growth in enrolment and programming. There will be 10 classrooms, a library, cafeteria and kitchen, offices and a staff lounge, a lecture theatre, a biology/chemistry laboratory, a physics laboratory, student services offices, a bookstore, and electrical, mechanical/hydraulics, millwright and welding shops. There will also be two outdoor activity areas.

The new college facility is part of the Provincial Government�s record $800 million infrastructure investment in Budget 2009: Building on Our Strong Foundation, which includes a $130 million infrastructure investment in Labrador through the Northern Strategic Plan.

"This tender call for construction of the College of the North Atlantic campus is great news for people in Labrador West who will benefit from the significant economic boost and job creation that will result from this multi-million dollar investment," said the Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs. "Once completed, the college campus will be a welcome addition to the education infrastructure of the region."

The tender includes both the design and construction of the new facility with construction beginning this summer and continuing into late fall as weather permits. It is anticipated that occupancy could occur in 2011, in time for September�s student enrolment.

"I am extremely happy to see this project at this stage of development," said Jim Baker, MHA for Labrador West. "This state-of-the-art facility will not only provide for the training needs of our region but will also help stimulate the local economy during this period of downturn in the mining industry. Once again it proves the commitment which this government has made to meet the infrastructure needs of Labrador West."

The closing date of the tender is June 17, 2009.

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