September 23, 2016 - Paul Morden, The Observer - Lambton College has tapped into federal and provincial funding for a $11.8-million renovation project to upgrade and consolidate its energy technology and bio-industrial labs and teaching spaces.The project was announced Friday, in a hallway in the basement of the college's south building where the expanded Centre of Excellence in Energy and Bio-Industrial Technologies is scheduled to ready by the spring of 2018.The federal government is contributing $5.6 million and the province $900,000, with $5.3 million coming from the college.�We will start the renovations in January,� said college president Judith Morris.�We'll basically be gutting the lower floor and the second floor.�Currently, labs used by technology programs are �all over the place,� Morris said.The renovations will bring labs and other facilities together in the centre, allowing more collaboration by students and faculty in technology programs and research, she said.College vice-president Donna Church said nearly 43,000 square feet of the technology wing will be renovated into a �visually stunning, unified area� that will include approximately 20 labs, as well as other facilities.�It will take us to that next level, and allow us to do much, much more,� Morris said.The new project comes as the college is also preparing to begin construction this fall on its $30-million Nova Chemical Health and Research Centre, and a $12-million athletics and fitness centre.Sarnia-Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu said the college's successful application for the new funding came together quickly after the Liberal government announced its $2-billion, three-year Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund in the spring.�I know this is federal recognition that we are leaders in bio and clean tech,� Gladu said.After speaking with college officials about the opportunities the new fund provided, Gladu said she was sitting on the Commons Industry Committee on a day when ministers responsible for the program were there answering questions.She took the opportunity to remind them of the college's application and how it lines up with the government's bio-clean-tech agenda.�I used my seven minutes to sing the praises of Lambton College,� Gladu said.Peter Fragiskatos, a Liberal MP from London, represented the federal government at Friday's announcement.�Lambton College, you are leading the way in this area in North America,� he said.�We recognize that at the federal level.� ;Pmorden@postmedia.com
