News Archives: Warkentin Celebrates KIP Projects at GPRC
Friday, February 25th, 2011
MP CHRIS WARKENTIN CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING
OF KNOWLEDGE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT AT GRANDE PRAIRIE REGIONAL COLLEGE
GRANDE PRAIRIE, AB " FEBRUARY 24, 2011-Chris Warkentin, Member of Parliament for Peace River, along with the Honourable Mel Knight, Alberta Minister of Sustainable Resources Development and MLA for Grande Prairie-Smoky, was at Grande Prairie Regional College in Grande Prairie today to officially open the newly renovated Trades Space that will benefit residents of this area.
The project received a Government of Canada investment of $1,663,000 through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program and the Province of Alberta matched those funds for a total project value of $3,326,000.00.
“Our government is investing in research and training facilities at campuses across the country to create jobs, help our economy recover quickly and improve the quality of life for Canadians,” said Chris Warkentin, MP. “This investment is promoting local employment now and will provide the research infrastructure that Grande Prairie Regional College needs for years to come.”
At GPRC Grande Prairie Campus, the funds were used to improve the ventilation system, upgrade the mechanical lift, and to upgrade electrical equipment for students in the trades. Projects at GPRC Fairview Campus still in progress include upgrades to labs for Power Engineering, Fibreglassing and Welding, plus other improvements to learning facilities for students.
“These facilities are of great importance to the students and faculty of GPRC,” says Don Gnatiuk, President and CEO, “but also benefit the people of our region by educating a highly skilled workforce to maximize the economic opportunities in our future. GPRC sincerely thanks our provincial and national governments for these investments which have supported our Vision to be recognized by our learning communities for leadership in educational excellence, and have enhanced our ability to fulfill our Mission to create connections to knowledge, experience and community, one life at a time.”
As part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada introduced the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, a $2-billion economic stimulus measure to maintain and improve research and training facilities at Canadian universities, colleges and CEGEPs. The program is providing economic stimulus, creating jobs, and generating the advanced technological infrastructure needed to keep Canadian institutions at the forefront of scientific advancement and ensure economic growth in the future.
For more information on the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, visit the Knowledge Infrastructure Program website