Renovations Begin At NSCC Kingstec Campus
Students and staff at Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Kingstec Campus will see improvements to their campus beginning today, Oct. 27
More than $13 million in renovations at the Kingstec Campus are part of construction and renovation projects at all 13 NSCC campuses. The renovations are part of government's $123-million investment in NSCC, announced earlier this year and designed to offer more education and learning programs to more students closer to home.
"Current and future students and staff of Kingstec will benefit greatly from the renovations and upgrading that has begun today," said Premier John Hamm. "NSCC is playing a critical role in preparing a job-ready workforce that will help to create a prouder, stronger Nova Scotia."
The investment is part of the government's skills initiative, Skills Nova Scotia. It involves working with partners to upgrade people's skills from basic literacy to the use of the most advanced technologies so they can further their success in education and the workplace. The investment in NSCC will support a multi-year plan to strengthen NSCC, enabling the college to modernize facilities, increase student capacity, and enhance skill-driven learning programs.
"Our mission -- Building Nova Scotia's Economy and Quality of Life Through Education and Innovation -- reflects our commitment to helping Nova Scotians acquire the sophisticated knowledge and skills needed for success in the modern labour market," said Ray Ivany, president, NSCC. "Embarking on an exciting new phase in NSCC's development will provide greater access to applied learning opportunities throughout the province."
Over the next seven years, 2,500 additional students -- an increase of 30 per cent -- will enter the college at its rural and metro campuses.
There are two significant new construction initiatives involved in the work at Kingstec Campus. One will create a new two-storey "campus commons" and front entrance of the building. It will house a student commons area, the Centre for Student Success, an open access IT Lab, a new library, a business centre, customized training offices, modern, flexible classroom space and a new horticulture facility. The atrium will be located at the south end of the building facing the corner of Belcher Street and Mee Road and will add much-needed new student learning space inside while modernizing the look of the campus outside.
The second major addition is a trades wing with state-of-the-art trades shops. Renovations in the existing space will focus on promoting and emphasizing the special programs offered at Kingstec Campus, including early childhood studies, health and human services programming, tourism and hospitality, and business.
The renovations will create seats for an additional 469 students.
"The renewed Kingstec Campus will provide a student-centred environment that supports success and encourages lifelong learning," said Paul Goulden, principal, NSCC Kingstec Campus. "This development is essential, not only for the learners who will influx the labour market with the skills Nova Scotia requires, but it also provokes a new view of learning in Nova Scotia, one that includes a national calibre community college."
Work on the NSCC Kingstec Campus is scheduled for completion in 2006.