In August 2017 the College received $1.086. which was originally announced for Cold Lake Campus Expansion planning. Upon receipt of the grant letter, the Minister expanded the grant to include researching demand for all Regional Campuses of Portage. I.E. Lac La Biche, St Paul, Cold Lake and Boyle.
Portage College’s three largest campuses are located in Cold Lake, Lac La Biche and St. Paul, Alberta. Boyle Campus, although a large footprint, is the future home of our Pipeline Training Centre.
A. The Cold Lake Campus is approximately 2,700 Square Meters, with no spare space to introduce new programming. A conceptual plan to expand Cold Lake campus, to provide student-gathering areas, a service bay, student housing and additional classroom/lab space, etc. is required. This will include renderings, for visuals to the City of Cold Lake Council. This expansion project is Portage College’s #1 priority and currently listed as #1 request on the Alberta Government BLIMS program. We have also enlisted Hanover Research to help us determine what programs are key to the success of this expansion.
Given the emphasis by the Minister to have a plan into government for Cold Lake expansion by March 2018 all three cues of research are being focussed on Cold Lake demand analysis first and then the research will move to other communities.
B. The Lac La Biche Campus, is approximately 18,000 square meters, consisting of four instructional facilities; classrooms, faculty and staff offices, shops, food services areas, recreational and athletic facilities and circulation space. Two of the new initiatives that has been identified is construction of a Water & Wastewater Lab Training Centre (#2 on BLIMS) and a Native Arts & Cultural Gallery, complete with grounds development for an Aboriginal Circle and Walking Trail.
C. The St. Paul Campus underwent several renewal projects in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015. While Portage College was instructing in the 1966 wing, tenants occupied the other wings. Over time, tenants vacated the space and renewal projects were completed. Now that Portage College occupies 100% of the facility, we have operational improvements to implement to allow for smoother workflows, parking, washroom, event centre and envelope renewal.
D. Boyle Campus houses our Heavy Equipment Operator Program of which the classrooms, Simulation Lab and Dorm Buildings are situated on 30 Acres and the practical area where 14 pieces of heavy equipment are operated by students takes place on 93 Acres. Additional lands (79 Acres) are being procured to house the Pipeline Training Centre, which is also indicated on the Alberta Infrastructure BLIMS list of requested facilities.
