Sydney community college campus destined for new waterfront home

The Nova Scotia Community College campus in Sydney will soon have a new home.

Premier Stephen McNeilannounced Fridaythat the Marconi Campus located on Grand Lake Roadwill be moving to Sydney's waterfront, on the esplanade between Falmouthand Crescent streets.

McNeil said in a news release that the move is an investment in the students and a welcome addition to the evolving downtown.

"These institutions that are great educational institutions also have a role in the economic future of where they reside," he said at the announcement.

The design and development of the campus will bereleased to the public once the land purchases are finalized.

Preparation of the site will begin immediately.

New campus to open in 5 years

The plan is to have a campus with a modern design, open spaces and state-of-the-art technology that will attract students from across the province to Sydney.

"I can't wait to come back to when this building is going and to watch the traffic around on the streets of downtown Sydney," said McNeil.

The land purchases, site preparation, detailed design and development is expected to cost $18 million and will be funded by the provincial government.

NSCC will release requests for proposals for site inspections, construction management services, architectural design and engineering services.

The province expects the new campus to open in September 2024.