When students, faculty and staff move into the new campus for the College of New Caledonia (CNC) in Vanderhoof next year, they will benefit from a $5.2-million renovation and upgrade.

“Opening the doors to education and training will give people in the Nechako region the skills to thrive in all sorts of industries,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. “Our investment in renovations for the new campus in Vanderhoof means that students have access to a modern facility where they can pursue a range of subjects, including trades, administration and university studies.”

Renovations and upgrades will include construction of teaching spaces, a trades workshop, classrooms and a computer lab, in addition to support and service spaces. Site improvements are expected to include sidewalks, lighting and new signage.

“We’re helping build CNC’s new Vanderhoof campus so people can study for the careers they want with the modern tools and facilities they need, right in the Nechako region,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology. “When it comes to finding a good, family-supporting job, your government recognizes that higher learning is a very important investment.”

The work will result in more functional space for trades and other programs, such as business administration, continuing education, university studies, and health and human services.

“The support of the Province for the renovations is welcome news,” said Henry Reiser, president of CNC. “The new location, a newer building and renovations will ensure we continue to work closely with the community to meet the needs of our students.”

Construction is expected to get underway in fall 2018, with completion targeted for early 2019.

The Province provided CNC with $1.7 million in 2017 to purchase a new facility, replacing an outdated leased property. The new campus consists of two retail buildings, located on 0.96 hectares (2.38 acres) of land.

The District of Vanderhoof rezoned the property from retail to education to allow for appropriate college use.

“This is an exciting announcement for our region,” said Gerry Thiessen, mayor of the District of Vanderhoof. “We appreciate the relationship we have built with the college, as we together aim to ensure that we have an educated workforce that will embrace a successful northern economy and lifestyle.”

The current building has served adult learners in 10 communities, with a total population of over 16,000 people, for more than 30 years. The college typically has about 75 full-time equivalent students. The new college campus is located at 139 East First St.

The $5.2-million project for renovations and upgrades at the new CNC Vanderhoof campus includes $5 million from the Province, with the remainder coming from CNC. The provincial funding is part of Budget 2018, which includes a direct investment by the Province of $1.2 billion over the next three years in capital upgrades and new facilities in the post-secondary sector.