Why Ron Common jumped for joy this morning (update)

Ron Common, Sault College president, literally jumped for joy from his seat and applauded Monday morning as Sault MPP David Orazietti formally announced $10.6 million in funding for a much-needed revitalization of the college's E Wing.

Common, Orazietti and a host of college administrators, staff, instructors and students gathered at the college for Monday's announcement.

The new E Wing will be more accessible and energy efficient, offering new classroom, lab and student services space, while also forming Phase 1 of Sault College's iE3 project (Institute for Environment, Education and Entrepreneurship).

"It's a ton of money…I'm very pleased," said an enthusiastic Common, speaking to SooToday.

"It (the iE3 project) has been in the plans for five years…our natural resources programs and our environmental programs are attracting students from southern Ontario and all across the country."

"It's a program we've identified as having growth potential and so we'll be expanding the course offerings, it's quite exciting the plans that are being proposed in the area of natural resources," Common said.

As reported earlier by SooToday Sault College will be going before city council Monday evening with a campus rebuild project proposal which will cost $21.5 million overall.

It is hoped the federal government will contribute its own funding to Sault College after the $10.6 million announced by the province Monday.

The feds announced, on April 6, a $2-billion Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund.

Applications have been made by Sault College to that federal fund and decisions are probably going to be made within the next two months, Common said. 

The federal cash, if awarded, will go toward plans for the college's J Wing, Common told SooToday.

The college's E Wing is more than 40 years old.

Conceptual drawings for the college's E Wing revitalization plan have been made by the Sault's EPOH, and the next step is to go to tender for construction.  

"In terms of timelines they're going to be beginning construction in early fall…it'll take 12 to 18 months to build," Common said.  

It's been a windfall month for Sault College.

Sault MPP Orazietti previously announced May 6 that $2.3 million will be set aside for modernization of Sault College's Motive Power lab and Motor Power Division, enhancing the college's skilled trades programs.

The following is a news release from Sault MPP David Orazietti:

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The Ontario government is investing $10.6 million to support the revitalization of a central hub at Sault College, David Orazietti MPP announced today.

“Our government has delivered considerable support for numerous initiatives, equipment and infrastructure at both of our local post-secondary institutions to expand programs and create more opportunities for students in a globally competitive environment,” said Orazietti. “I am very pleased to be able to announce this important investment which will provide needed modernized education and training space at Sault College, as well as help to strengthen our local economy.”

The upgraded facilities at the college’s E-Wing will provide students and staff with a more modern and accessible environment and improve spaces for learning, including:

• Classrooms
• Labs
• Student Services

The province’s investment in upgraded classrooms will also support students solving real-world problems through Sault College’s Aerospace and Engineering Technology programs.

“Students have rated Sault College #1 for the quality of facilities for the past 3 years. It is because of investments like these that will help us remain the top College in Ontario. E Wing was built in the early seventies and it is a footprint in need of urgent renewal. This is an exciting opportunity to provide modern facilities that will reduce our carbon footprint through energy efficiencies and it will allow us to redevelop a space that our staff and students are proud of," said Dr. Ron Common, Sault College President.

"This funding will not only enable Sault College to retrofit the E Wing building but will also launch Phase 1 of the iE3 project (Institute for Environment, Education and Entrepreneurship). The iE3 project will provide new and renovated spaces that will create a state-of-the-art learning, training and working environment for students, staff and clients. It will include an innovative new design and equipment that will attract students to Sault College as well as provide the capacity for expansion of programs.”

Helping renew critical Sault College facilities is part of the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province's history -- about $160 billion over 12 years, which is supporting 110,000 jobs every year across the province, with projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, schools and hospitals.

In 2015, the province announced support for more than 325 projects that will keep people and goods moving, connect communities and improve quality of life.

Investing in postsecondary infrastructure is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs.

The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education.

The plan is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history and investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.

Since 2003 the provincial government has provided over $55 million for Sault College, some initiatives include:

• $9.5 million      Academic Building
• $7.8 million      Apprenticeship Programs
• $7.1 million      Facility Renewal Improvements and Modernization
• $5.9 million      Small Northern Rural Colleges funding
• $5.0 million      Health and Wellness Centre
• $3.6 million      Study North Marketing initiative (6 northern Colleges)
• $2.3 million      Motive Power Equipment and Apprenticeship Infrastructure
• $1.8 million      “Common Link” – Connecting Campus
• $1.7 million      Infrastructure and Green Energy skills training for 120 students
• $1.6 million      Additional Instructors and Increased Student Resources
• $1.0 million      New IT Infrastructure (NOHFC)
• $956,425         Implement Enterprise Resource Planning with Niagara College
• $909,000         Financial Health and Sustainability Grant–develop shared resource planning with Niagara College
• $772,190         Mental Health Innovation Fund
• $750,000         Multi Media Centre (NOHFC)
• $670,006         Ontario Literacy and Basic Skills Program funding
• $603,673         Pre-Apprenticeship Training and Increased Apprenticeship training – 30 positions

QUICK FACTS

• This capital project is being funded as part of Ontario’s 2016 Budget.
• Sault College provides postsecondary education to more than 4,500 part-time and full-time students each year. Sault College has graduated over 26,000 students in 45 years.
• One in five Sault College students is of Aboriginal ancestry, giving the College one of the largest postsecondary Aboriginal populations in the province.
• Built in 1970, the E-Wing is host to student services, learning support, counselling and mental health, academic upgrading, faculty and administrative offices, general purpose classrooms, computer labs, IT support services, food services and the campus book store.
• Since 2003, the province has invested $3.6 billion in capital funding for Ontario colleges and universities through the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, and over the next 10 years, has a plan to provide an additional $3 billion in capital grants.
• Research shows that every $100 million of public infrastructure investment in Ontario boosts GDP by $114 million.

LEARN MORE

• Sault College
• Ontario Universities and Colleges
• BuildON

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