GRAND OPENING OF HUMBOLDT COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE FACILITY CELEBRATED

Released on April 2, 2012

Education Minister Donna Harpauer celebrated the opening of Humboldt Collegiate Institute today, along with Humboldt Mayor Malcolm Eaton, students, staff and board members of the Horizon School Division and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools.

The celebration featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony and speeches by Minister Harpauer and Mayor Eaton.

The new facility will house Grades nine through 12 of the institute as well as the Carlton Trail Regional College. It is also connected to the Humboldt Uniplex which includes a fitness centre, a hockey arena, a curling rink and an aquatic centre.

Construction of the facility began in 2010, and a number of partners were involved. The Ministry of Education contributed $12.5 million toward Humboldt Collegiate Institute. The Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration and Industry Canada provided $4 million to Carlton Trail Regional College through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program. This funding was used for the facility that houses classrooms, computer labs and administrative space. In addition, the federal government's Building Canada Fund, administered through Western Economic Diversification Canada and Saskatchewan's Ministry of Municipal Affairs, invested over $1.9 million to fund upgrades to the Uniplex, which is now connected to the school facility.

"I am pleased that our government has delivered on this investment for the Building Canada Fund upgrading at the Uniplex," Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification Lynne Yelich said. "We recognize the unique infrastructure needs of our communities, and support projects that improve their quality of life, and strengthen them by bringing families and friends together."

"Projects like the development of this modern, accessible facility in Humboldt help build strong and vibrant communities right across Canada," Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Humboldt Brad Trost said on behalf of Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology. "Our government is proud to support important infrastructure projects such as this one, which created jobs and economic growth and will benefit the residents of Humboldt and the surrounding area for many years to come."

The facility will provide an improved environment for the students and will support student achievement and learning in the community.

"The new Humboldt Collegiate Institute will provide a great new environment for students," Harpauer said. "The Ministry of Education is pleased to have contributed to the realization of this facility which will provide improved learning opportunities for students and add to the community."

"Our government is supporting Saskatchewan's strong and steady economic growth through infrastructure investments in our province's post secondary education sector," Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister Rob Norris said. "This new facility will provide students with the training environment and programs they need to enter our growing labour market."

Contributions from the different partners were utilized for the construction of the new facility which offers ample space for educational programming.

"The new Humboldt Collegiate Institute is proof that strong partnerships produce results," Horizon School Division Board Chair Jim Hack said. "The new shared-use facility will indeed provide opportunities for students and the community, now and into the future."

"We are proud that the new Humboldt Collegiate Institute is part of this innovative joint facility," Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Board Chair Diane Boyko said. This is a wonderful new home for staff and students, a facility that will help them create even stronger relationships between their school and the wider Humboldt community."

"Our community is very excited about having these attractive, modern educational facilities attached to the City of Humboldt's Uniplex recreational complex," Eaton said. "We look forward to the many opportunities our partnership with the high school and community college will provide for education, recreation, cultural and social activities. This is an important facility that will help meet the future needs of our city's growing population."

"The Board and staff of Carlton Trail Regional College are very pleased with their new facility, and look forward to continuing their very positive relationship with the City of Humboldt, Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division and Horizon School Division," Carlton Trail Regional College Chief Executive Officer Bill Cooke said. "The whole notion of joining together in a common facility makes so much sense, and allows for better achievement of common goals."

The government of Saskatchewan has committed $500.6 million since November 2007 to move forward 41 major school capital projects and about 716 additional smaller school capital projects across the province. This represents a record high investment in school infrastructure over a five year period.

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For more information, contact:

Olufunke Okochi
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1613
Email: olufunke.okochi@gov.sk.ca

Stephanie Thomas
Office of Gary Goodyear
Phone: 613-960-7728

Joanne Mysak
Western Economic Diversification
Phone: 306-975-5942
Email: joanne.mysak@wd.gc.ca