It’s full-steam ahead!
After months of anticipation, the college has been given crucial federal and provincial funding that will allow us to transform the library into a state-of-the-art learning and entrepreneurship centre.
Ottawa West-Nepean MP Anita Vandenbeld was on the campus Wednesday to announce the federal government’s $21.9-million contribution, and Bob Chiarelli, the area’s MPP and the Minister of Infrastructure announced a $2.9-million contribution from the province.
Vandenbeld lauded the project, saying the new centre will help produce “students that will turn ideas into solutions, solutions into jobs, and start-up companies into global investments.”
In her remarks, Cheryl thanked both ministers for their support as well as MP Catherine McKenna, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, who was also on hand for the announcement.
She noted that Wednesday’s groundbreaking for the $45-million transformation, which took place in the C building courtyard, was an exciting moment, particularly because of what it represents.
“We’re excited not just about today’s announcement and groundbreaking, but also about being part of a wider wave of growth and expansion across this city, because that’s what today is really about, city-building.”
The college is one of a number of post-secondary institutions to receive funding from the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development’s Strategic Investment Fund and the Province of Ontario’s Facilities Renewal Fund this year.
Earlier this year, the Board of Governors approved in principle to fund up to $20 million from the college’s capital budget and reserve funds.
The new centre, which will be located in a portion of C building, will encompass the Algonquin College Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Learning Centre and the Algonquin College Institute for Indigenous Entrepreneurship.
Cheryl called it “a place like no other,” saying it will be a place that puts entrepreneurship at the heart of everything the college does, a place that pushes the envelope with innovation and ingenuity, and a place that recognizes the unique culture and talent of its indigenous students.
“Since I know the caliber of our learners and the excellence of our faculty,” she said, “and since this announcement guarantees we can create the best possible environment for them to unleash their talents, I will say this: ‘I can’t wait.’”
And she won’t have to. The project is now officially underway.
Information about the project will regularly be posted to myAC so that employees can be kept in the loop. In addition, for all disruption and construction-related news, go to the dedicated website algonquincollege.com/grow.
To see videos of the funding announcement and the groundbreaking ceremony, go to https://www.algonquincollege.com/live/.
Photo: From left: Cheryl, Ottawa Centre MP and Minister of Environment and Climater Change Catherine McKenna, Algonquin Students’ Association President Egor Evseev, Ottawa West-Nepean MPP and Minister of Infrastructure Bob Chiarelli, and Ottawa West-Nepean MP Anita Vandenbeld take place in the groundbreaking in C building courtyard.
An innovative program that aims to enhance Indigenous student recruitment, retention, and success is underway at Algonquin College and Cambrian College. Both institutions will be working with Indigenous communities on a new Indigenous Student Performance Success Program focused on producing research that will identify factors that help or hinder Indigenous students as they pursue postsecondary studies at each institution. On Monday, November 21, at the Higher Education Summit in Toronto, Algonquin President Cheryl Jensen and Cambrian President Bill Best signed an agreement that will enable the two Colleges to collaborate on research that will enhance the postsecondary experience for Indigenous students. 
