Students attending the Nechako Region campus of the College of New Caledonia (CNC) in Vanderhoof will have a new education and training facility following the purchase of several buildings that sit on 2.38 acres (0.96 hectares) of land.

The current building campus is leased. It has served adult learners in 10 communities with a total population of more than 16,000 for over 30 years. In 2015-16, the college had 74 full-time equivalent students.

The new campus will consolidate a variety of programs including trades to one location in a much newer building. It is located on 139 East First Street and has more than an acre that can be developed in the future depending on demand and approvals. The new building will allow the college to move the trades program onto the same location as other programs.

The Province of British Columbia provided the College of New Caledonia with funding to purchase the property for approximately $1.7 million and will assist in the renovations and upgrades to accommodate students.

“New and upgraded buildings are springing up on campuses throughout British Columbia due to our government’s careful fiscal management,” said Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad on behalf of Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson during a visit to the new location. “The new building in Vanderhoof for the College of New Caledonia will benefit students as well as faculty and staff for years to come.”

There are three buildings located on the property. The newest building is a large 10,000 square-foot (929 square-metre) retail outlet building constructed in 2014. The second building is an older 3,744 square-foot (347 square-metre) office building and the third building is a 1,250 square-foot (116 square-metre) equipment building.

“Our college is very responsive to the communities that we serve,” said CNC president Henry Reiser. “We are excited to be investing in Vanderhoof, and re-locating to the heart of the community. It will be a welcoming place for our students, community members and partners”

Student occupancy is expected in fall 2018, once the appropriate re-zoning and renovation work is completed.

"This announcement of a new premises for the College of New Caledonia is some of the very best news that we have had in the Nechako Valley," said Gerry Thiessen, Mayor of the District of Vanderhoof. "The strength of our region comes from the ability to have an educated work force that is qualified to meet the future demands, which will come to the north. The District of Vanderhoof is very thankful to the Province as well as the leadership at CNC for their commitment to our community."

“It was huge for me to stay in my hometown and go to school” said Carmen Funk, former CNC student and now health care worker. “The new CNC location is more central and will be easier for students travelling to CNC from rural areas.”

The B.C. government is making record investments in modern, safe infrastructure projects throughout the province – and in doing so, these construction projects are creating well-paying, family-supporting jobs. These investments are possible because of the strong fiscal plan of the B.C. government.