Renovations Officially Begin at NSCC Truro Campus

Students and faculty will see the start of more than $4 million in renovations to the Truro Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC). The extensive project, which officially began today, Nov. 17, will upgrade student learning areas and create seats for 121 additional students.

The Truro Campus renovations are part of government's $123- million investment in NSCC announced earlier this year to offer more education and learning programs to more students, closer to home.

"Our investment in NSCC, today the Truro Campus, is great for the area and indeed all of our province," said Education Minister Jamie Muir. "We will soon be better able to meet the education and training needs of more students in state-of-the-art facilities, and position Truro to increase its highly-skilled and successful workforce."

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, to further their success in education and the workplace. The investment in NSCC will support a multi-year plan to strengthen the college, enabling it 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 help 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 three phases of the Truro Campus's renovation project. Phase 1, launched today, will focus on the second floor of the west wing of Forrester Hall. This renovation will complete a one- stop service area for students, called the Centre for Student Success. It will include all business services, a financial office, career services, student counselling and support, and administration in one area to maximize student access to information and support they need. In addition, six washrooms in Forrester Hall will be renovated, and the air handling system on the second and third floor of the west wing will be installed. These projects will be completed in the spring of 2004.

In 2004-05, Phase 2 will begin. This phase will include a new front atrium for Forrester Hall which will house the bookstore, a new student centre and a canteen, and a new ventilation system. This space will create study and gathering areas for students, as well as a welcoming entrance to the main building of the campus.

In 2005-06, Phase 3 will complete the renovation project with mechanical, electrical and lighting improvements in corridors and classrooms throughout Forrester Hall.

"The renewed Truro Campus will provide a student-centred environment that supports student success and encourages life- long learning," said Kevin Quinlan, principal at the Truro 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 Truro Campus is scheduled for completion in 2006.