June 29, 2011
ACC's Parkland Campus Expansion Complete
For Immediate Release--An expansion of Assiniboine Community College’s (ACC) Parkland Campus in Dauphin is officially complete.
The $3.5-million project was the result of a federal-provincial investment of more than $3.4 million. The Canada-Manitoba Knowledge Infrastructure Program provided over $1.7 million, which was matched by the Province of Manitoba. Assiniboine Community College covered the remaining project costs.
“The Parkland campus expansion in Dauphin is a concrete demonstration of our government’s commitment to ensuring all Manitobans have access to quality education and training opportunities close to home,” Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Stan Struthers said, at the opening celebration today on behalf of Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Erin Selby. “This is just one of many key investments we are making in partnership with the federal government to expand and improve post-secondary opportunities in all regions of our province.”
The project included a 7,200-square-foot addition that houses a nursing laboratory, an expanded early learning centre, and classrooms needed for community programming, plus a 4,000‑square‑foot renovation in existing space. The expansion allows ACC to train an additional 30 apprentices each year, meeting the region’s labour needs and honouring the provincial government’s commitment to double apprenticeship opportunities in Manitoba.
“Our government has invested in new research and training facilities for colleges and universities across Canada to set the foundation for economic growth,” said Robert Sopuck, Member of Parliament for Dauphin-Swan River-Marguette. “This project not only created jobs for people in our community but also provided the infrastructure that will benefit Assiniboine Community College for years to come.”
“In today’s economy, education is very important,” said Mark Frison, president of Assiniboine Community College. “This expansion solidifies our commitment to provide quality education that is accessible to Manitobans across the province. The long-term impact on both training and employment opportunities for the Parkland region is very positive, an investment in the future.”
The expanded early learning centre will allow the college to integrate early childhood education programming within the facility. The addition of a nursing arts laboratory will allow for a regular rotation of the practical nursing program, which will help to address the critical and ongoing shortage of licensed practical nurses.
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