The new sign for the University of Saskatchewan Prince Albert Campus has been unveiled (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

education matters

U of S unveils campus sign

Sep 16, 2019 | 2:39 PM

The new University of Saskatchewan Campus in Prince Albert marked a milestone Monday morning.

The sign for the downtown campus was officially unveiled to the public at a ceremony which saw speeches from a variety of dignitaries including Premier Scott Moe, Deputy Mayor Don Cody and Prince Albert Grand Council Vice Chief Christopher Jobb.

University of Saskatchewan President Peter Stoicheff said while the ceremony was not a groundbreaking or a grand opening it is still important.

“It is really exciting to see that it is actually happening and that’s what that sign represents is that we know we are going to be here up and running in approximately a year,” he said.

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The university president was especially happy to see the large turnout of about 200for the unveiling which included people from the city, business community and many current U of S students. Approximately 200 people came out to take in the event.

Stoicheff said work is currently underway to get the building ready for next fall and he was going to be taking a tour to see how it is all coming along. The president said in terms of enrollment they currently have just under 500 students in the city and are hoping with their new building to grow.

“I could imagine that you know a few years from now, a few short years from now we would have at least doubled the student cohort here,” he said.

The U of S will be offering a variety of programs at the campus, which will include dentistry, nursing and veterinary medicine to name a few.

Last week the university’s school of dentistry announced they had received the biggest donation in their history to help set up a dental clinic at the site, which besides offering a training facility, will also offer some services. Stoicheff said it is important the university serve not just students.

“I feel that the university has a social contract with the people of the province, that we need to benefit the people of the province,” he said.

University of Saskatchewan Peter Stoicheff was the master of ceremonies Monday morning (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

Premier Scott Moe said the new campus will be helpful to communities in the local area and in the north when it comes to helping keep people living and working in those areas in a number of sectors. He added he was excited about the new dentistry clinic and what it could mean.

“Not only for the service that will be provided in downtown Prince Albert here, but for the opportunity that it provides our dentistry students,” he said.

Moe said the unveiling of the sign builds on an exciting week in regards to infrastructure for P.A. with the announcement in regards to the recreation facility. The premier said there are still more investments to be made, especially in health care which he believes the new campus will help with in the future.

Moe explained he has heard from family friends in Shellbrook who have gone through the U of S nursing program and have told him how positive it is for prospective students from the area to be able to go to school closer to home.

“They understand and have vocalized to me what this means to future students,” he said.

Around 200 people came out to see the sign officially unveiled (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn