Conestoga College will receive from the Ontario government $2.274 million in funding for infrastructure improvements, as part of a total of $200 million being targeted for campus renewal projects at all of Ontario’s publicly-funded colleges and universities.
The announcement was made this morning at Conestoga’s Doon campus in Kitchener by Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Leeanna Pendergast. At the same time, she announced funding grants under this initiative for the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University.
Campus renewal funding across the province will go towards three major areas: energy efficiency, to help institutions increase efficiency, conserve energy, and address health, safety and environmental concerns; campus safety and security, to assist with improvements to safety and security systems in order to help ensure students can complete their studies in safe and secure environments; and renewal of infrastructure, to help institutions maintain and repair existing facilities.
MPP Pendergast said, "Today’s students will build Ontario’s future economy. Our government is improving the quality of post-secondary education for students by investing in key campus improvements." She added that Ontario must be a learning society and that the three areas being addressed by this initiative will ensure the future of the province’s economy by enhancing the post-secondary experience for students.
In acknowledging the $2.274 million in funding, Conestoga President John Tibbits said, "I appreciate the Ontario government’s ongoing support for post-secondary education. The key to economic prosperity is a well-educated workforce, and 70 per cent of new jobs will require some form of post-secondary education."
He commented that Conestoga has seen a significant growth in enrolment over the past two years, and that the funding will help create additional classrooms at Doon, as well as enhance facilities at Conestoga campuses in Guelph and Waterloo.
"Provincial funds such as those announced today for safety and infrastructure enhancements are most welcome and aid us in our efforts to provide the very best in skills education," he said.
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