Government of Alberta news release:
The Government of Alberta will fund an additional $3.35 million worth of capital maintenance and renewal work at Lethbridge College, creating an estimated 19 new jobs in the community.
This funding will help upgrade heating and cooling systems in the Paterson Building, first built in 1970. Replacing the old piping system will help avoid more expensive repairs in the years ahead, and ensure staff and students can continue to benefit from reliable campus infrastructure.
Additionally, the project will generate new job opportunities for about 19 skilled contractors and tradespeople in the Lethbridge area. While Budget 2020 already includes $118.5 million for capital maintenance and renewal at colleges, universities and polytechnics, funding for this project is part of an additional $98-million commitment, which is expected to create about 533 full-time jobs around the province.
“Alberta’s Recovery Plan is an ambitious plan to build, diversity and create jobs. Today’s announcement will create immediate jobs in the Lethbridge area while also ensuring Lethbridge college can continue to offer a variety of academic and apprenticeship options in a safe and comfortable environment. This investment is one of many projects around the province that demonstrates that our post secondary institutions have a critical role to paly in the economic recovery of our province.”
“Alberta’s Recovery Plan focuses on infrastructure as a critical component for supporting economic growth and jobs for Albertans. This includes investing in shovel-ready projects to upgrade and maintain public facilities, like this post-secondary institution, that help keep Albertans working and stimulate local economies where it matters most.”
“As an alumni of Lethbridge College and a tradesman, I love to see responsible investment in this institution. A $3.35 million investment in much-needed mechanical upgrading and deferred maintenance shows the commitment we have in taking care of the infrastructure that is needed to train and develop the next generation of our workforce.”
“This investment in the revitalization of the Paterson building will ensure a continued safe, modern and energy-efficient learning environment for our students. These types of facilities allow our passionate and committed educators to focus on providing the relevant, high-quality education that prepares our students for the jobs that support the local and provincial economy.”
"The Alberta Students' Executive Council thanks the Government of Alberta for their commitment of $98 million from the Capital Maintenance and Renewal Stimulus Fund. This investment comes at an important time for Alberta's institutions and our economy, a fact well recognized by our university, college, and polytechnic student members. ASEC supports this supplemental capital funding, and remains committed to working with the government in building a modern post-secondary system in Alberta."
"The LCSA wants to acknowledge and thank the government for their grant of $3.3 million to Lethbridge College at this time. Education cannot happen without working facilities, and this investment comes when LCSA members are looking to a stable campus for support. We appreciate the funding and look forward to helping build a modernized education system.”
In April, the Alberta government announced it was accelerating the capital plan and increasing capital maintenance and renewal spending in 2020-21 to almost $2 billion. Advanced Education worked with post-secondary institutions to identify projects, with a focus on addressing existing maintenance issues, ensuring compliance with building codes and regulations, increasing access to services, and reducing operational costs. Government also prioritized projects that will help create jobs, and are ready for work to begin.
The Lethbridge College project is part of the more than $10 billion infrastructure spending announced as part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan. This spending includes: $6.9 billion Budget 2020 capital spending, $980 million accelerated for Capital Maintenance and Renewal, $200 million for Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program and water infrastructure projects, $600 million in strategic infrastructure projects, $500 million in municipal infrastructure and $1.5 billion for Keystone XL.
Alberta’s government is helping create thousands of good jobs for Albertans by building schools, roads and other core infrastructure that benefits Albertans and communities. It will further diversify our economy by helping sectors grow and succeed and returns investment to our province by ensuring we have the most competitive tax environment in Canada.