New $20 Million REACH Building Under Construction at Confederation
College
by Scott A. Sumner
www.thunderbaybusiness.ca
The first major new building construction project at Confederation College since the Aviation Centre of Excellence building in 2003 is now underway. The 37,000 square foot addition and 10,000 square floor renovation to the Shuniah building will be a major expansion for the
college.
“ We are thrilled with the new addition for our students enrolled in our health and community services programs and are committed to increase our enrollment by almost 500 students so this is our growth in that area.The idea came from business and industry and the health care sectors and social services sectors across NW Ontario which indicated a
need for more workers in those fields. The provincial and federal governments provided us over $20 million for the project,” said Pat Lang, President of Confederation College.
The addition will be on the north side of the Shuniah building and include new lab and classroom space. Today the Shuniah building is 300,000 square feet in size so this represents significant growth. In the new facility will be all of health care, police foundations,
community child care workers, early childhood education and a new program in addictions and mental health programming. In the health and community care program the graduates of Confederation College have a
high employment rate.
“ The building will be highly functional because it will have labs and classrooms. It will open in the spring of 2011 after1 1/2 years of construction. It is intended to be a blend of the old and new buildings and will reflect the colours and beauty of NW Ontario to bring the outside into the building,” according to Lang.
The addition will be a Silver Leeds certification in terms of energy efficiency. Confederation College will be hiring 5 to 10 new faculty members. “ This is an exciting time for NW Ontario because it is responding to the needs of the learners as well as communities of NW Ontario.” said Pat Lang.
“ This is a rebirth of health care and social services with growing optimism for young people to enter these fields. There will be significant renovations to the Shuniah Building as well.There will be a focus on aging populations. It will prepare a workforce for careers in health services. REACH will provide a state of the art facility for the students.” said Brian Campbell of Confederation College.
“ We are thrilled to be a part of the facility funding along with the Federal Government. It was important for us to work together. Confederation College is doing remarkable work here.” said Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development & Mines.
“ The facility will accelerate and promote excellence in health and community sectors. There has been great cooperation with LU and the TBRHSC. The new simulation labs will allow more hands on experience for the students.” said Marylin Gouthro Chair of Board of Confederation College.
“ This year we have our highest ever enrollment at Confederation College. Our enrollment is up 15% and 3,487 students are enrolled. We have also seen a 20% enrollment increase in our health and community services program. We anticipate 200 construction jobs over the next 1 1/2 years on this project,” said Pat Lang. “ The concept of REACH was created by our staff. We are reaching out to the learners across NW Ontario, the work force and the health care and community sectors.”
