The provincial government will provide $5.8 million to continue modernization work at the Collège Communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick campus in Bathurst, with site preparation expected to begin this year.
The funding will support design work and construction preparation costs for a project that will consolidate the college’s operations by closing its Youghall Drive building and replacing it with new facilities on du Collège Street.
The investment comes from the capital budget announced in December and adds to $10.85 million already committed for the project’s first and second phases.
New building to house skilled trades programs
The project includes construction of a 22,000 square-metre building to house programs currently operating at the Youghall Drive location. Most of those programs are in the skilled trades.
The new facilities will feature a cafeteria, learning commons and space for a third-party francophone daycare currently on campus.
The project will centralize operations and eliminate duplication of services while preserving a heritage building, according to the province.
Design work underway
Several steps have been completed since the project was announced in 2023, including development of a master plan for the du Collège Street campus with input from local and regional stakeholders, the municipality and businesses.
The college commissioned an architect and engineers through a request for proposals and consulted with academic groups and its board of directors on design requirements.
Site investigations have been conducted and the design has progressed through schematic design and design development phases, including cost estimates.
Campus consolidation
The du Collège Street site opened in 1916 while the Youghall Drive location was inaugurated in 1963.
“Modernizing our facilities will allow us to become a technological showcase for New Brunswick and train the next generation of students to ensure their success in a constantly evolving world,” said Pierre Zundel, CEO of CCNB.
CCNB operates five campuses and offers nearly 80 programs grouped in seven schools.
