REACH News

THUNDER BAY, Ontario, October 15, 2009 —Michael Gravelle, MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North and Marilyn Gouthro, Chair of the Board of Governors, Confederation College, today celebrated the groundbreaking of Regional Education Alliance for Community Health (REACH) at the college, which received federal and provincial funding totalling almost $20.5 million through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program and Ontario’s 2009 Budget.

The new REACH building is a centre for academic, laboratory, simulation and clinical/fieldwork education to meet the needs of students in the School of Health and Community Services. Operating within an interprofessional, intergenerational and intercultural education framework, the learning and research centre will prepare allied healthcare professionals to transform the healthcare of northern communities. New programs and learning technologies are expected to attract Aboriginals, displaced workers and youth.

In total, the governments of Canada and Ontario are investing $1.5 billion in 49 projects at Ontario’s colleges and universities, through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP) and the Ontario 2009 Budget.

“By renewing the facilities at Confederation College, researchers in the community will have the tools they need to be global leaders in their fields and pursue world-class excellence,” said MP Greg Rickford. “It is one way that our government is working to strengthen Canada’s capacity to innovate and translate research into meaningful benefits for all Canadians.”

The Knowledge Infrastructure Program, a two-year, $2 billion economic stimulus measure to support infrastructure enhancement at Canadian post-secondary institutions is part of the $12 billion in new infrastructure investment allocated under Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

The program is providing real economic stimulus and employment by creating local jobs for engineers, architects, trades people and technicians. It is also helping to generate the advanced technological infrastructure needed to keep Canada’s research and educational facilities at the forefront of scientific advancement.

Thunder Bay—Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle said “I’m delighted to be part of today’s groundbreaking ceremony. It is such an important milestone for Confederation College and for the future of health care in Northwestern Ontario, and follows through on our government’s commitment to make high-quality post-secondary education accessible in all parts of the
province. The future graduates of REACH will benefit from world-class facilities and programs, and their education will improve health care in our northern communities in the future. That, along with the 200 jobs this project will create, is a huge ‘win’ all the way around.”

The Government of Ontario, in its 2009 budget – Confronting the Challenge: Building
Ontario’s Economic Future, committed to investing in infrastructure and has designated $780 million to colleges and universities to modernize facilities and boost long-term research and skills training capacity over the next two years.

“Through the collaborative support of our provincial and federal partners, Confederation College is developing a facility that will enhance and promote excellence in Health and Community Services education,” said Marilyn Gouthro, Chair of the Board of Governors, Confederation College. “REACH will create leaders in health and community services, and a cohort of new
professionals ready to meet and surpass the challenges of the health and social services sectors and act as a strong contributor to the healthy future of our City and region.”

For more information about the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, including program criteria, application instructions and a list of the approved projects to date, please visit www.ic.gc.ca/knowledge-infrastructure.

For information about how the Government of Ontario is helping to build and revitalize
infrastructure across the province, please visit www.mei.gov.on.ca/en/infrastructure.

For further information (media only), please contact:

Media Release

Reach Construction Update
 
The new REACH building construction is progressing well and we anticipate the next phase, which is pile driving, to begin Monday, November 2nd.
 
This process should be completed within two weeks. During this period you may experience some additional noise and vibration specifically within the area of the construction site.
 
We appreciate that this may be disruptive. We are hopeful, however, that we all will consider that this is a temporary situation that is required in order for the construction of our newest facility to be completed on schedule.
 
We will continue to monitor the noise and vibration impacts. If you have any specific comments to make regarding this, please do not hesitate to contact me at 475-6368 or vopni@confederationc.on.ca.
 
Yours truly
 
Ron Vopni