The Parkland College has been working towards the development of a Trades and Technology Center for a number of years, and now the project is finally moving forward. With the announcement of funding in this year's provincial budget, planning can be completed and construction begin.
The initial investment by the Government of Saskatchewan is $1 million, earmarked for planning and design. Dr. Faye Myers, President of Parkland College says that discussions with Don Morgan, Minister of Advanced Education, have indicated that the government is fully behind the project and wants shovels in the ground as soon as possible.
"It means the full construction of the project. The project will be $15-16 million total, and we will be raising a third of that and have close to our target, the government will be giving us $10 million over the next couple of years as we continue construction," Myers says.
There is still needs to be planning completed, which will be the main focus in the immediate future. Myers says they need to develop the site, get engineered drawings, and finalize the interior concept design.
The new center will be able to meet demands from both students and industry that the college is currently unable to meet. Myers says that the level of interest is high already throughout the region.
"Currently our shop and trades area is very limited in the college. So this will allow up to expand into the advanced skills that are required by industry and businesses across the region and the province," Myers says.
Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit says that it was time to commit to the project because of the needs in the area. He notes that there is a skilled labor shortage in the province, and a facility like this is essential for getting the training to people in the region. He also notes that it will be good for First Nations engagement in the economy, since it allows them to get educated close to their home community, which is a traditional priority for First Nations people.
"The opportunities are endless, it's just a matter of getting people up to speed to be able to fill those needs," Ottenbreit says.
Another reason for the commitment is the community support for the project. Ottenbreit says that when you see the city making a significant contribution of land, and businesses in the region pledging their support to a project, it's difficult to ignore. He says that the announcement is thanks to the hard work of many different people, from the Parkland College itself, the City of Yorkton, the business community which has supported the capital campaign, as well as the work done by the provincial government.
Myers says that they want to see doors open in 2015.
