Fleming College

Peterborough ON – (October 8, 2014) – The Fleming College “Building Skills, Shaping Futures” campaign ended on a high note today as more than 70 donors, volunteers and staff gathered to celebrate at a special Kawartha Trades and Technology Centre (KTTC) pre-opening ceremony.

Guests were treated to tours of the new state-of-the-art facility, which includes sustainable shop facilities, smart-wired classrooms, and labs with the newest technology. A number of speakers took the time to bring their heartfelt thanks to those who made the facility possible including third semester Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (HRAC) student Myron Szalawiga.

“In today’s job market, the skilled trades are one of the fields showing the highest growth potential. This was a deciding factor in my decision to return to school after spending 15 years in a corporate office environment,” said Szalawiga. “I am very fortunate that Fleming College also realized this potential, and has created, with your generosity, a world-class training facility for the skilled trades. On behalf of my colleagues, I would like to thank everyone who helped make this building a reality.”

A campaign update was provided by campaign co-chairs Jay Amer and Craig McFarlane.

“Back in June when we celebrated our campaign touchdown, we were thrilled to announce our achievement of $1,823,603. As you know, gifts were made to infrastructure and capital equipment as well as for student financial assistance,” said McFarlane.

“But people were still excited to support this incredible project and after our announcement, a number of other individuals and corporations continued to make contributions both in cash and in-kind support. Now, over three months after our touchdown, we are thrilled to report that the campaign total has increased to $1,889,440! That is $1,237,942 to fund capital equipment and infrastructure, $311,641 for student financial assistance and $339,857 in in-kind gifts of service, product and equipment,” continued Amer.

A temporary donor wall was also unveiled to recognize donors to the campaign. “The reason for that, is that the permanent donor wall for this particular project had to be unique,” said Amer. “How could we, in a building used to train the tradespeople of tomorrow, not include them in the construction of something so important? So the permanent donor wall will be constructed by volunteers from the School of Trades and Technology and will be unveiled on the one year anniversary of the grand opening.”

The official grand opening of the Kawartha Trades and Technology Centre will take place later this fall.

About the KTTC
Fleming College has constructed a new $36.6 million, 87,000 square foot trades and technology skills training facility located on the college’s Sutherland Campus in Peterborough. The Kawartha Trades and Technology Centre (KTTC), through a unique partnership with education and industry, teaches and trains students from regional secondary schools, Fleming College and regional industry. The facility provides new space and equipment for training in such areas as carpentry, welding and plumbing. The KTTC features state-of-the-art, sustainable shop facilities, smart-wired classrooms, and labs with the newest technology. It offers offer all students access to a full suite of services and supports and a vibrant campus life.

About Fleming College
Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Arts and Heritage, Business, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, General Arts and Science, Health and Wellness, Justice and Community Development, Skilled Trades and Technology, and Continuing Education. Fleming College has 5,900 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and more than 68,000 alumni.

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For more information:
Nicole Grady
Annual Giving and Communications Officer
nicole.grady@flemingcollege.ca
705.749.5530 ext. 1204

Laura Copeland
Communications Officer
laura.copeland@flemingcollege.ca
705.749.5530 ext. 1370