The Suncor Energy Foundation today announced its largest investment ever made in Ontario — $1,050,000 over three years to launch the Suncor Sustainability Centre at Lambton College in Sarnia.
Located on the Lambton College campus, the Suncor Sustainability Centre will become the focal point for sustainability initiatives and programs in the Sarnia-Lambton region. This facility will house a student and community resource centre, provide meeting and office space for community and industry groups, and become the home of the Bluewater Sustainability Initiative, a network of business and community leaders dedicated to implementing sustainability initiatives in Sarnia-Lambton.
In addition to the facility, the Suncor Energy Foundation investment will fund the development of a sustainability curriculum for Lambton College programs as well as awards for individuals and organizations that pursue sustainability initiatives in the community. The development of an educational site for alternative energy sources will also be funded through this investment.
In the coming months, renovations will begin on an existing building at Lambton College that will become the future home of the Suncor Sustainability Centre. The centre is expected to be open in 2007 and the additional sustainability programs and initiatives will be phased in over the next three years.
Ian Savill, Suncor’s vice president, Suncor Sarnia Refinery, said, “Everyone in the community has a role to play in sustainability. Through the Suncor Sustainability Centre, we are pleased to provide an opportunity for all local residents to participate in transforming Sarnia-Lambton into a prosperous, sustainable community over the long-term.”
“Suncor continues to be a tremendous supporter of Lambton College. This record setting donation is a highlight of decades of assistance by Suncor. Their ongoing support of our programs and our students validates the quality of our programs and the skill sets of our grads.” said Tony Hanlon, President of Lambton College. “Lambton College has worked in partnership with Suncor and other local industry partners to prepare highly skilled technical and engineering graduates whose productivity helps local employers compete successfully in a very competitive global marketplace. These partnerships have enabled Lambton College to create a world-class Centre of Excellence in Process Manufacturing and adding sustainability concepts will bring long term economic, social and environmental benefits to communities that our grads will work and live in.”
Suncor Energy Products Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Suncor Energy Inc., an integrated energy company. In addition to a refinery in Sarnia, Suncor Energy Products has a network of more than 300 Sunoco-branded retail and Fleet Fuel cardlock sites and has a 50 per cent joint venture interest in more than 200 Pioneer and UPI retail sites. Suncor Energy Products Inc. manufactures, distributes and markets transportation fuels, heating oils and petrochemicals primarily in Ontario. Sunoco in Canada is separate and unrelated to Sunoco in the United States, which is owned by Sunoco, Inc. of Philadelphia.
The Suncor Energy Foundation is a private, non-profit charitable foundation established by Suncor to receive Suncor’s contributions and support registered Canadian charitable organizations. As an ‘Imagine Caring Company,’ Suncor invests at least one per cent of average domestic pre-tax profits to charitable and non-profit causes each year.
Over the past 40 years, Lambton College, one of the jewels in the southwestern Ontario community of Sarnia, has earned an international reputation as a highly specialized institution. Small class sizes and the opportunity for tailored programs combined with state-of-the-art facilities are the basis for an enviable track record of success.
Lambton offers full-time diplomas, degrees, post-diploma programs, and post-secondary certificates in Technology, Applied Science and Apprenticeship, Fire Sciences, Business and Sports Administration, Health and Community Services, and Liberal Studies. Co-operative learning, field and clinical placements give students opportunity for hands-on learning. Partnerships with industry and business has been the proud cornerstone of Lambton College since it was founded in 1966.
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For further information, contact:
Jason Vaillant
Suncor Energy Products Inc.
519-383-3691
Cindy Buchanan
Lambton College
519-542-7751 ext. 3334