PORT HAWKESBURY, N.S. — Work is well underway at the site of a new 51-bed residence at the Strait Area Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College in Port Hawkesbury.
“Most of the groundwork and in-ground piping is all nearing completion, and we’re expecting the concrete work to begin in the next couple of weeks,” campus principal Tom Gunn said in an interview, adding officials are pleased with the progress to date.
Tenders for several aspects of the construction, including masonry, siding and mechanical work, are currently open.
The $7-million project was announced earlier this year, following years of efforts by the local campus. The new 20,000 square foot standalone residence is being constructed on the campus site. The date when all construction is due to be completed is Dec. 31, 2020, although it is hoped that it will be ready to be occupied that September.
“That’s a fairly aggressive timeline but at this point in time we’re hoping that will be the case,” Gunn said. “We’re not accepting new applications for the new residence until we’re sure of that. If we continue to meet timelines, we’d probably do that more in the spring.”
The residence will be fully accessible, built to Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification standards and will also meet LEED standards for environmental sustainability, he noted.
“It will be kind of a state-of-the-art building,” Gunn said.
“It’s very exciting and it’s just so nice to have some more affordable housing for students and to have it so near to the campus, I think it’s going to be great.”
Among the next big milestones in the project will be getting the concrete in and then beginning the steel work, Gunn said, adding it’s hoped they will make as much progress as possible before winter weather.
The Port Hawkesbury campus hasn’t had a residence in years, since the third floor of the Provincial Building was used for that purpose, housing 70 beds at peak. However, the space was ultimately claimed by the province for other purposes.
The tender document released in April noted that there is potential for NSCC to expand its offerings at the campus’ Nautical Institute to serve a broader range of students and clients through its existing range of programs and potential program additions. However, it also notes the constraints of the local housing market as an obstacle.
In the residence, 12 rooms will be dedicated to short term marine training, as there are limited suitable local hotel accommodations.
A feasibility study for constructing a residence has been completed.
The Strait Area Campus currently consists of two distinct buildings, the main campus and the fire training centre.
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