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Education
Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
August 7, 2009

New Facility Means Improved Opportunities for College Students in Labrador West

Construction will begin this fall on the new College of the North Atlantic campus in Labrador City. With a Provincial Government investment of $14.5 million, topped up with $7.65 million from the Federal Government under the Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP), students all over Labrador West will soon have access to a modern training facility.

"This new multi-million dollar facility in Labrador West is an example of the many investments the Provincial Government is making to ensure students in this province have the highest quality learning opportunities," said the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education. "Skilled trade workers continue to be in demand in our province. This new facility will help meet that demand and contribute to the success of such projects as Hebron and the Lower Churchill. This is great boost for Labrador and for the province overall."

"This Government of Canada investment in the College of the North Atlantic will provide a significant short-term economic stimulus to Labrador West and will create jobs in the region," said the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology). "Our government is investing in innovation to create jobs, to help our economy recover quickly and to improve the quality of life for Canadians."

The tender for design and construction of the new facility has been awarded to Colby Management. 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. It is anticipated that occupancy could occur in 2011, in time for the start of September classes.

"Construction of the new College of the North Atlantic campus in Labrador City is part of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador�s infrastructure strategy, which includes some $130 million invested in Labrador through the Northern Strategic Plan," said the Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs. "The people of Labrador West will soon benefit from the significant economic boost generated when construction begins on this facility that will be a major addition to the educational infrastructure of Labrador." 

"I am very pleased to see this project reach the construction stage of development," said Jim Baker, MHA for Labrador West. "This state of the art facility will not only provide for the skilled trades training needs of our region but will also provide economic stimulus during this period of downturn in the mining industry. It proves once again the commitment which this government has made to meet the infrastructure needs of Labrador West."

"The Provincial Government has allocated approximately $800 million for infrastructure in Budget 2009 for projects throughout Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister King. "Almost 20 per cent is earmarked for education projects alone. With this level of funding, we can ensure our students have the learning and training opportunities for personal success, and for the growth and development of communities across the province."

The Provincial Government�s infrastructure strategy is valued at more than $4 billion over the next several years.

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Media contacts:

Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048
jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca
Gary Toft
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
613-991-0700
Tess Burke
Communications
Government Members' Office
709-729-3551, 699-2402
tessburke@gov.nl.ca
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
709-729-1674, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca
Industry Canada
Media Relations
613-943-2502
 

2009 08 07                                                   10:25 a.m.
 


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