The College Avenue Campus Renewal Project in Regina is moving forward thanks to a big financial contribution from the federal government.
The Government of Canada is investing $27.6 million of the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Infrastructure Fund in renovations to the heritage buildings that were the original Regina College, dating back to 1911.
The College Avenue Campus includes the Centre for Continuing Education, Conservatory of Performing Arts, and the Lifelong Learning Centre.
The federal government is also providing $2.4 million for upgrades to the Laboratory Building on the University’s main campus. This will allow for safety code upgrades, such as those to the fire alarm and sprinkler systems; replacing the roof; and upgrading the electrical and heating systems.
The funding was announced on August 19 by MP Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
The federal funding will be used to preserve and modernize the architecturally and culturally significant buildings, and ensure a vibrant centre of learning, research and culture remains in the heart of downtown Regina.
The funding will also enable the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy to return to College Avenue and deliver on a proposal to establish the Canadian Institute for Science and Innovation Policy. This institute will focus on enhancing existing areas of strength in science in Saskatchewan including energy, digital analytics, bioscience and food security, water security, and health.
“The funding announced demonstrates a significant commitment to post-secondary education in our province. The federal government’s investment in infrastructure on our campus will help us meet the growing needs of our current and future students, faculty and researchers,” said Dr. Vianne Timmons, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Regina.
“The investment in the renewal of our historic College Avenue Campus and in the Laboratory Building on our main campus will breathe new life into aging facilities, enabling us to continue to advance our commitment to teaching, research and community service.”
Each year the College Avenue Campus serves approximately 8,000 learners between six months and 96 years of age and hosts dozens of community and cultural events. These activities contribute $18 million in gross domestic product annually to Saskatchewan’s economy and support nearly 500 full- and part-time jobs.
