MHC gets $1.6M to better Indigenous programming

By Medicine Hat News on October 2, 2020.

Medicine Hat College will receive nearly $1.6 million in federal government grants for expansion and renovations to create classrooms and space for Indigenous programming, it was announced on Thursday in Lethbridge.

Money will also provide elevator access to the lower floors, and install structural components for a solar power array on the roof, according to a release from the federal government.

The money is part of the Investing in Canada Plan related to community, culture and recreation.

New project funding totalled $21.9 million for four projects in southern Alberta.

“We’re supporting community centres and colleges … that build up stronger, more resilient communities,” federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna said in a release.

Jobs created from four projects are expected to total 300.

Alberta Infrastructure Minister Prasad Panda said the boost to economic activity by building at post-secondary institutions will “also help ensure the province’s public facilities reflect and celebrate the full diversity of Alberta.”

The major projects announced Thursday include a replacement building at Red Crow College in Standoff, where the previous campus was destroyed by fire in 2015.

Federal funds of $20 million will go toward the $58-million project.

Figures provided state work in Medicine Hat is estimated to cost a total of $3.9 million.

Elsewhere, about $184,000 will go towards renovations at the University of Lethbridge to create an Indigenous Gathering Space.

The province will put $125,000 toward renovations planned by the French Community of Calgary also supported by $165,000 in federal cash.