UPEI, Holland College get $20M boost from government

The federal and provincial governments are investing a combined $20.84 million in research infrastructure throughout P.E.I., the federal government announced Friday.

Combined with contributions from the institutions themselves and private donors, the investments will total $23.27 million for UPEI and Holland College.

Dalton Hall to be transformed

UPEI will get $2.875 million each from the province and federal governments for renovations to Dalton Hall, with the goal of transforming it into an eHUB and Student Success Centre.

The university will contribute an additional $409,900 to the project.

Focal point of university

UPEI president Alaa Abd-El-Aziz said the Dalton Hall has become the focal point of the university. He said when he talks to colleagues and alumni about the century-old building, they always have great stories.

"One person actually told me, 'Do not touch Dalton Hall,'" he said. "For that person I will just say, we're are not actually touching Dalton Hall, we're going to make sure that Dalton Hall will stay here for two or three more centuries to come."

Work at Dalton Hall will begin early next year, with construction expected to take most of 2017.

As a result of offices having to move, UPEI is also moving its Alumni and Development offices to 618 University Ave., a building it has owned for several years and borders on its property.

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