The Frontier Collegiate Institute campus has expanded this school year with the addition of a new shop and classroom as well as the dormitories.
Premier of Manitoba Greg Selinger was in Cranberry Portage Thursday morning for the official grand opening of the additions.
Selinger joined a dozen dignitaries in congratulating the school and community on the completion of the power mechanics facility and dormitories.
Students have been calling the new dormitories home since the start of the school year – a feat many didn’t think was possible when the project began with a short timeline of 10 months.
“We’re very proud of this investment,” Selinger told The Reminder.
“I think this has to probably set some sort of a record for starting and getting something done so quickly,” he added.
Ground broke in December and work continued through the frigid cold days and then warmer temperatures to prepare for the first week of school.
“I really want to commend the school board, students, and the contractors for all working together and making it happen,” Selinger said. During the construction of the dormitories classes continued as scheduled, as teachers and students worked around the construction of both the dormitories and the power mechanics facility.
Construction of the dormitories and mechanics facility was budgeted at $23 million, but the coldest winter in over 100 years, soil conditions, and other factors brought the total cost of the project to $26.9 million.
Selinger saw more than just a price tag at the end of the day. He saw a future.
“What it means to us is that it’s a concrete expression to our commitment to providing skills to these young people,” said Selinger.
Residents of Frontier Collegiate hail from 30 different communities across northern Manitoba. Selinger hopes that the “quality education” provided will benefit the students not only while in school, but also as they continue on with their lives.
“It’s to get an academic education, to get a trade or a vocation that will allow them to stay and raise a family in northern Manitoba,” he said. “We’re very proud of that.”
Chief Superintendent of Frontier School Division Ray Derksen showed enthusiastic support for the dormitories; a project he has closely worked on for many years.
“The Frontier School Division is committed to creating academic environments where students can be competitive and successful no matter where they come from,” said Derksen.
Derksen told the few hundred people in attendance for the ribbon cutting that the dormitories have been a work in progress for more than five decades. The project came to fruition over the past 10 months, but he says it wasn’t for a lack of trying in years past.
Former Deputy Minister Scott Bateman made the trip to Cranberry Portage some 50 years ago, on a Sunday, to purchase the location for $1 with visions of a dormitory in place.
“We thank the Province of Manitoba for the support we have received to build these facilities, which will enable us to give our students the practical skills and apprenticeship options they need to become successful in a variety of career paths,” said Derksen.
“Frontier Collegiate Campus is grateful for the support and vision the Province of Manitoba has demonstrated in completing this huge facilities expansion project,” said Cathy Fidierchuk, superintendent, Area 4: Frontier School Division. “Providing equitable educational opportunities for northern students has always been a mission we share. The future is bright for students who choose to live and learn on the FCI campus.”
The 57,000-squarefoot dormitories is a two-story building with wings. In the main part of the building is the atrium and student lounge, with four areas furnished with leather couches for students to gather. There are smaller lounge and television areas as well as separate kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms for up to 200 students.
The open concept accommodates large groups such as Thursday’s ceremony that saw a few hundred people in the upstairs atrium. Large windows allow as much sunlight as possible in the open areas while each bedroom has the biggest window possible for the frame.
The power mechanics facility comprises a 5,100-square-foot shop that contains four bays and a 600-square-foot classroom.
Following the remarks of Selinger, Derksen, and Fidierchuk – to name a few – guests were welcomed to the lower level of the dormitory where students had prepared a lunch as part of the Culinary Arts program. The smell of dill floated through the air as guests made their way through the buffet line.
Students from the school had set up a video presentation for guests to watch as they enjoyed their lunch.
“It’s culturally appropriate and you can see people have a great deal of pride in their participation,” said Selinger.
