May 23, 2014
Thompson Celebrates Opening of New University College of the North Campus
– – –State-of-the-art Facility will Create Opportunities for Jobs, Training; Give Local Residents Convenient Access to Post-secondary Education: Premier Selinger
THOMPSON—Premier Greg Selinger joined community leaders here today for the grand opening of the University College of the North (UCN).
“By giving people access to high quality training and post secondary education this new state-of-the-art campus means more opportunities for our young people to build their life right here in the north,” said Premier Selinger. “When people have the skills they need to get good jobs the whole region benefits.”
He noted the new $82-million, 84,400-sq.-ft. facility meets or exceeds the province’s sustainability and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building standards and creates:
- 15 new distance-learning classrooms;
- three computer labs;
- a dedicated chemistry/biology science lab;
- a multi-purpose physics/math/biology science lab;
- a 12-bed nursing lab with clinical simulation capabilities;
- a 60-seat lecture theatre;
- a new library;
- the Ininiwikiskinwamakewin Student Centre;
- new student association offices; and
- a 73-space child-care facility for infant, toddler, pre-school and school-aged children.
The new complex complements the UCN campuses in The Pas and across 12 regional centres. It is projected to increase enrolment capacity at the Thompson campus to 510 from 342 students, the premier noted.
UCN Thompson was designed to accommodate future education and training spaces based on community need and will allow the UCN to expand important program delivery and research capacity in the north, Premier Selinger said.
The University College of the North was established by an act of the Manitoba legislature on July 1, 2004, recognizing it as a degree-granting university college in Manitoba. Its mandate is to serve the post-secondary education and training needs of Aboriginal and northern Manitobans.
“This new campus establishes Thompson as a major delivery centre for post-secondary programs at the university and college level, and ensures the UCN can expand our ability to provide educational opportunities for northern learners,” said Konrad Jonasson, president and vice-chancellor, UCN. “This facility and the expanded opportunities it provides will be a positive impact for our communities for generations.”
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