Released on March 31, 1998
Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training Minister Joanne Croffordand SIAST President Art Knight today announced that SIAST's Wascana
Campus will be consolidated at the Plains facility site. SIAST
Wascana's 12,300 students are currently located at eight centres
scattered throughout Regina.
"We are investing in people, especially young people, through relevant
education and training opportunities," Crofford said. "This creates a
highly effective, efficient new learning facility for the training
that leads to jobs. Locating SIAST, the University of Regina and the
high tech research park together provides unique opportunities for
innovative partnerships in education, training and research."
"The consolidation of programs and services is a positive move for
students, faculty and staff at Wascana," Knight said. "We will have
more opportunities to explore new approaches in the delivery of our
programs. For students it will mean a much stronger sense of
community. The single location will provide improved communications,
greater access to library and bookstore resources and more equitable
support services."
Noting that this is SIAST Wascana's 25th anniversary, Knight said it
is especially appropriate that this project, which will benefit
students, faculty, staff and stakeholders, is starting this year.
"This positions us to more effectively fulfil the training role
envisaged for SIAST in the Saskatchewan Training Strategy."
Knight said that it was important to make the announcement now so
necessary design work and construction could begin. The first
SIAST students will move in the fall of 1999, with full occupancy
by fall, 2001.
"This is a major component of the Government's Youth Training and
Employment Strategy," Crofford said. "The amalgamation into one
facility is a good decision, a good use of the Plains site and a
good investment for our young people and our future.
"This is a sound financial investment which will pay for itself
within 10 years. The facility will support improved services for
students and enhanced programming."
The savings of $3 million annually through reduced accommodation,
programming and adminstrative costs will pay for the
$28.8 million conversion of the facility to a modern learning
centre including new labs and workshops.
The project is expected to provide up to 300 direct construction
jobs and many more in related areas.
The eight existing SIAST Wascana Campus sites in Regina include
Winnipeg North, Parkway, St. John's, 8th Avenue, Albert South,
Maxwell Crescent, Wetmore and Donahue Centres.
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For more information, contact:
Lily Stonehouse
Assistant Deputy Minister
Post-Secondary Education and
Skills Training
Regina Phone: (306)787-5676
Dave Burdeniuk
Saskatchewan Property
Management Corporation
Regina Phone: (306)787-1075
Art Knight
SIAST President
SIAST Administrative Office
Regina
Phone: (306)933-7328