An official at Algonquin College in Ottawa says the Perth project will be implemented in two phases. The first will be to expand the existing main campus building, adding a construction shop and associated spaces, scheduled for completion next spring.

Mike Rushton, director of Physical Resources at Algonquin, says the second phase will be reconfiguring portions of the existing main campus building to provide spaces to support the student population as it grows. It’s scheduled for completion by September of next year.

Total estimated cost of both phases combined is two million dollars, he says. For future operations Algonquin plans to operate its Perth campus “for the foreseeable future” …in other words indefinitely, he says.

Ontario is picking up half the $70-million cost of the first phase of the college expansion at Ottawa. The total project involves a $136-million expansion, $32 million at the Pembroke campus, plus the $2 million expansion at Perth. 

Planning is underway for renovation and expansion and funds have been committed for the college’s Perth location, raising enrolment by 100 students per semester. Once planning is complete, design and construction phases will follow.

The college says plans are to accommodate the immediate growth potential in the college’s trades programming.  Alternative growth strategies are to be explored for the Perth Campus, as well, to further increase capacity of facilities through partnerships to deliver off-site curriculum programs.