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Education
March 15, 2011

$6 Million in Upgrades Completed at Seal Cove College Campus

The Seal Cove campus of College of the North Atlantic (CNA) marked the completion of a major facelift today as federal and provincial representatives joined the CNA community for an official ceremony to celebrate approximately $6 million in exterior and interior infrastructure upgrades at the facility.

On behalf of the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education, the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works and MHA for Harbour Main, attended the event. He was joined by Senator Fabian Manning, and Corinne Dunne, College of the North Atlantic (CNA) Vice-President of Development/College Advancement.

“Since 2005, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has allocated more than $57 million for infrastructure improvements at College of the North Atlantic campuses, which includes investments for improved accessibility, modernized industrial shops, improved ventilation, and general upgrades,” said Minister Burke. “The completion of the project at the Seal Cove campus, which includes a $3 million investment from the Provincial Government, will ensure that our students can study in an environment conducive to learning, and help prepare them with the knowledge and skills to build our province’s future.”

The Seal Cove campus was allocated $6 million in building envelope and ventilation upgrades – cost-shared equally by the Federal and Provincial Governments – through the federal Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP) and the Provincial Government’s Infrastructure Strategy, which is valued at $5 billion over the next several years.

“The economy remains our government’s top priority,” said Senator Manning. “Through the Economic Action Plan, we are investing in research and training facilities at campuses across the country to create jobs, help our economy recover quickly and improve the quality of life of Canadians. This investment created local jobs and helped improve the infrastructure at the College of the North Atlantic’s Seal Cove Campus, providing benefits now and for years to come.”

Since 2003, Provincial Government investment in CNA programs and infrastructure has more than doubled – from $50 million to more than $100 million this year. This investment has paid off. In recent years, enrolment is up 12 per cent, the number of graduates has increased by 13 per cent, and there has been a 46 per cent increase in the number of seats provided in skilled trades programs.

“Through our Infrastructure Strategy, we recognize the importance of investing in our educational institutions and providing necessary upgrades to ensure their longevity,” said Minister Hedderson. “The interior and exterior work completed at the Seal Cove campus is an example of how these investments are extending the life of provincially-owned buildings throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.”

College of the North Atlantic President Bruce Hollett welcomed the investment.

“Industry Canada and Provincial Government investment in our physical infrastructure has breathed new life into an aging facility” said Mr. Hollett. “This project will leverage our ability to continue performing as an institution devoted to a high standard of training that is accessible for students of this province, and which benefits the labour force in this province and across Canada.”

Through the Provincial Government’s Infrastructure Strategy, more than $35 million has been allocated to fund four Knowledge Infrastructure Program post-secondary projects in Newfoundland and Labrador − the CNA Seal Cove project, upgrades to the CNA campus in St. John’s, the construction of a new CNA campus in Labrador City, and a new academic building at Memorial University Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook. The Federal Government has allocated over $24 million to the projects.

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Media contacts:

Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 709-697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca
Sharon Vokey
Executive Assistant to the
Honourable Tom Hedderson
MHA for Harbour Main
709-729-5884
sharonvokey@gov.nl.ca 
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
Roger Hulan
Communications Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
709-643-7938
Roger.Hulan@cna.nl.ca 

2011 03 15                                                         11:55 a.m.

 
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