Federal government invests $7.7 million in Thames Campus

September 03, 2009

Chatham-Kent, Ontario - Dave Van Kesteren, MP for Chatham-Kent-Essex, today announced that the Canadian federal government will be investing $7,764,000.00 in St. Clair College, Thames Campus under the Community Adjustment Fund. 

This funding will go towards the completion of the Thames Campus Health Plex which will be a state-of-the-art fitness, athletics and recreational facility. 

“We are seeing the enrollment numbers at St. Clair College and other area educational institutions rise during this economic down turn. We need to continue to support our post- secondary schools.  With today’s announcement, the federal government is doing just that,” said MP Van Kesteren.  

“Lifelong learning among all our citizens is one of the keystones of our community strategic plan,” said Mayor Randy Hope.  “Investments in education do much to diversify and strengthen our economy and our quality of life.  On behalf of Chatham-Kent Council and the community, I thank the federal government for today’s timely and important announcement.”

“Dave Van Kesteren and the Government of Canada have done a great deal in the past four months to help the students at St. Clair College.  A standing ovation from the staff and students of St. Clair College for an outstanding performance is certainly warranted," said Dr. John Strasser, President of St.Clair College.

This  project was part of the up to $102 million investments made through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) for 2009-2010, announced on August 27 by the Honourable Gary Goodyear,  Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
CAF is just one in a series of initiatives introduced in the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan designed to address the short-term effects of the economic decline on communities across Canada, while preparing our communities for long-term growth. For more information on Canada’s Economic Plan please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca