Gaelic College gets big renovation, government money

Cape Breton's Gaelic College is undergoing a $750,000renovation.

Some of the work has already started, and CEO Rodney MacDonald saysthe changes will be significant.

They include transforming the former craft shop,one of the oldest buildings on campus, into a research area.

"The research and education facility has been totally renovated inside and out," said MacDonald."Anew steel roof is being placed on the Hall of the Clans this spring.

"Anew maintenance building is being constructed. Wehave a new outdoor green gym going up,and we have a number of other aspects that are being done in classrooms for enhancements."

The federal government, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency,is contributing $366,000to the project.

"We're coming up to 150 years old,Canada. There's no doubt about it when you see, the Scottish culture and heritage is a big part of that, Canada and how it was developed," saidSydney-VictoriaMP MarkEyking, who announced the money.

"Our first prime minister was Scottish;this is one of the things we're going to invest in."

The provincial government is contributing $150,000 to the work, while Victoria County will put in $17,000for the outdoor gym.The collegeitself raised $230,000.

"We want toeach out to international students and national students, and we believe that we can be a fully functioning year-round facility here and moving forward," MacDonald said.

He says the changes will also allow the college to expand its offerings and host major groups, meetings and conventions.