Abbott students pitch in for new science centre

A first in the public Cegep system, the students agreed to contribute $500,000 to a fundraising campaign for campus renovations and the construction of a new science and technology facility. A student referendum showed an overwhelmingly positive response to the college foundation’s request:- 94 per cent of the voters were in favor of supporting the project.

The students' contribution represents 10 per cent of the overall goal of the campaign. “At a time where students are protesting and going on strike against the lifting of the tuition freeze, it is extremely impressive to see such an enthusiastic involvement from our students” said Lucie Fournier from the John Abbott College Foundation.

When representatives from the John Abbott Foundation came to explain their campaign objectives to the Student Union of John Abbott College (SUJAC), the interest was immediate. “The fact that the project was environmentally-sustainable was very important to us,” said SUJAC vice-president Philipp Grimm.

The estimated length of the project is 33 months, and the work should start as soon as the minister of education gives the final authorization, which should come any day now, according to John Abbott director general Keith Henderson.

A new science and technology building will then be constructed, allowing the college to create two new programs. The space freed by relocating the science units – about 40 000 square feet – will be renovated and used to create more student areas. The cafeteria and the auditorium will be revamped and a new food court will be built. “The project will benefit all students, not just science students,” Grimm says.

To reach its objective of $5 million, the Foundation also turned to local businesses and population. “The campaign is going extremely well,” Henderson says. The final results of the campaign will be publicized in the fall. The first $30 million required for the project were obtained when the College sold land adjacent to Fairview Pointe Claire shopping centre.