NEW NIPAWIN CAMPUS OFFICIALLY OPEN AT CUMBERLAND COLLEGE

Construction is now complete on Cumberland College's new Nipawin campus. Randy Hoback, Member of Parliament for Prince Albert and Prince Albert Northcote MLA Victoria Jurgens on behalf of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris were present at the official grand opening.

This project is part of the $118 million the provincial and federal governments contributed under the Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP) announced in June 2009. The new facility at Cumberland College received funding totalling $7.49 million from the federal and provincial governments.

"Our government has invested in innovation and knowledge infrastructure to set the foundation for economic prosperity," said Hoback. "This project not only created jobs for people in our community but also provided the infrastructure that will benefit Cumberland College for years to come."

The project involved the construction of a 1,576 square meter addition to the Central Park Learning Centre, which includes nine classrooms, a computer lab, shop area, tutorial and study spaces, conference room, student lounge and administration spaces. The new facility will allow Cumberland College to increase the number and types of training programs currently offered in Nipawin, particularly in the areas of mineral, mining, hydro and energy sector training.

"Our government recognizes the value of investing in Saskatchewan's post secondary education system," Jurgens said. "The new centre provides students with upgraded facilities to help them excel in their studies and be prepared to enter our labour market."

"The new Cumberland College Campus in Nipawin symbolizes the importance of access to post-secondary higher education within rural communities," Cumberland College CEO Valerie Mushinski said. "Through the delivery of post-secondary education Cumberland College plays a vital role in the economic and community development and sustainability of the northeast region."

"Our new campus will allow us to offer more programs to provide greater opportunities to the residents of our regions to succeed in life," Cumberland College Board Chair Armand Thibodeau said.

KIP was a two-year, $2 billion program that provided economic stimulus measures to support infrastructure enhancement at Canadian post-secondary institutions, including universities and community colleges. It resulted in the creation of jobs for engineers, architects, trades people and technicians, as well as helped ensure that Saskatchewan and Canada are better positioned to contribute to, and benefit from, the global knowledge economy.

For more information about the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, please visit www.ic.gc.ca/knowledge-infrastructure.

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For more information, contact:

Bill Stovin
Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0926

Stephanie Thomas
Office of the Minister of State
Ottawa
Phone: 613-960-7728

Lynette Gerski
Cumberland College
Nipawin
Phone: 306-752-8105