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CNC Technical Centre Behind Schedule

By Michelle Cyr-Whiting

Monday, April 04, 2011 04:04 AM

Work continues on CNC's Technical Education Centre

Prince George, B.C. - The federal government has extended its Knowledge Infrastructure Program contract at CNC, after construction on the college's new Technical Education Centre failed to reach substantial completion by last Thursday's March 31st target date.

The contract for the $19.7-million dollar trade centre, funded equally by Ottawa and the province, was awarded to IDL Projects Inc. in May of last year.  CNC Communications Services Manager, Randall Heidt, cites two main reasons the project is behind schedule:  1. some soil issues at the very beginning - clay caused some problems during the ground clearing stage, and 2. some colder than expected days during the winter.

Heidt says he doesn't believe there are any extra costs to be borne by the contractor as a result.  "Not as far as I know in terms of extra funds or anything like that. This is under KIP funding and they (the federal government) extended a number of projects across Canada into October. We didn't need that, we were just asking for an extension into May."

The 75-thousand square foot facility will accomodate 800 student spaces annually and is the first major capital investment in the Prince George campus in more than 40-years.   "I think it's vital to the future of the college and the trades and technology students that will be learning in there because the environment will be so much better than the 800-block - it's served us very well, but the building is almost 50-years old and has had some issues with heating," says CNC's Communications Manager.  "It will be much more pleasant for the students and instructors in the new building."

Equipment from the old shops, along with new installations like a computer lab will take place over the summer months in anticipation of September's opening to students.  Heidt says there are a number of innovative features that will make the centre both environmentally and aesthetically pleasing.  The domestic hot water will be solar heated, the building will have radiant heating throughout, rainwater will be captured and used to water the campus grounds, and there will be a 'living roof' on top of the faculty offices with grass and other vegetation, which Heidt believes, will be one of the first of its kind in northern B.C..

In addition, he says numerous south-facing windows and refractory skylights mean there will be an incredible amount of natural light throughout the building.

Such is also the case at the new $9.8-million dollar technical trades centre at CNC's Quesnel campus.  The college's other KIP project did hit substantial completion last Thursday.  Heidt toured the 24-thousand square foot facility just over a week ago and says there's lots of natural light and wood throughout and says, "The combination of both is just breath-taking in there."

Currently, CNC's 136 trades and technical students in Quesnel take their training off-campus at Maple Drive Junior Secondary School.  The number of spots available will more than double to 276 when the new trade centre opens in September.


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Posted on Monday, April 04, 2011 04:04 AM in News by Michelle Cyr-Whiting

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Comments

Comment Posted by: He spoke on April 4 2011 8:32 AM
How about, beaurecrats coming up with unrealistic schedules for building in the north. Just because you have the power of money, does not mean you get what ever you want. There is a lot of sequencing, and a lot of things you have no time to react too.

I say, IDL has done one heck of a job on it so far.
Comment Posted by: metalman on April 4 2011 4:48 PM
On tap?
Like draught beer?
This is going to be a very nice facility, and it is providing a good short term boost to the local construction industry.
What I don't agree with is the assessment of the 800 block, or existing trade shops at the college as "old". In most places in Europe they would laugh heartily at the foolish suggestion that a building is no longer worth using as it approaches the tender age of 50.
So they are almost 50 years old, big deal! The building is not falling down, it has seen many updates over the years, it is still sound. The so called "heating issues" is bull$!!! Why not admit that the college is taking advantage of available governmental funding to construct a model facility for the training of trades persons? Those existing buildings are more than capable of continued use for many years to come. The heating systems can be upgraded, modernized, made efficient for less than the cost of tearing the buildings down and rehabilitating the site.
If the original plans still hold, there were going to be parking spaces for staff created where the building sits now. We should be encouraging staff to find other solutions for travelling to work, so that fewer parking spots are needed.
This is called waste, I thought the whole environmental thing was to reduce, reuse and recycle. Reuse is the key here, why not renovate the building and move the heavy duty mechanics program in? Then they could sell the building that currently houses that program (the former Peterbilt facility,at 22nd & Nicholson) and more of the colleges programs would then be on the same campus. It would eliminate another satellite building from the colleges inventory, one that is also "old".
metalman.