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Ground was officially broken for Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Joseph A. Remai Campus in Saskatoon, with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe saying the facility “will revolutionize the way Saskatchewan can continue to provide to the world”.
“We are a very hungry world, a world that is in need of energy and whatever that looks like in the future,” Moe said on Monday at the Innovation Place site at University of Saskatchewan.
“And you look at what Saskatchewan can provide in the way of uranium and the way of potash, fertilizer … in the way of critical minerals and rare earth elements in the future — that all is going to come from the education that happens right here at these three locations: Innovation Saskatchewan, University of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Polytechnic.”
Advanced Education Minister Colleen Young, Procurement Minister Terry Jenson joined Moe at the site to announce that the project was moving forward.
Premier Scott Moe, Advanced Education Minister Colleen Young, Procurement Minister Terry Jenson and other dignitaries broke ground for the new Polytechnic campus at Innovation Place in Saskatoon on Aug 26, 2024. (Payton Zillich/650CKOM)
The province said in a news release that construction would begin “as early as 2026” and earth moving equipment would arrive and fencing be put up this week.
The release said the Skilled Trades and Technology building would be the first campus facility to be constructed, with initial site preparation to include removal or upgrading of underground infrastructure, tree relocation and grading.
Minister for Innovation Saskatchewan Jeremy Harrison said the new campus would strengthen the province’s innovation ecosystem.
“This cutting-edge innovation corridor will enhance collaboration between industry, academic institutions and government, making Saskatchewan more competitive in attracting investment and accelerating innovated technologies,” Harrison said.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic president and CEO Dr. Larry Rosia said that the new campus was a milestone he had been waiting years for.
“Our modern, 21st century learning environments will prepare students to enter the workforce fully equipped and ready to contribute from day one,” he said.
Liam Walsh, a design and manufacturing engineering yechnology student at Saskatchewan Polytechnic is excited for the future of the school.
“The new, modern campus will bring students together and provide exciting learning opportunities. It will attract more students from Saskatchewan and around the world, and ensure we are ready for the workplaces of the future. It is an exciting time to be a student at Sask Polytech,” he said.
An artist’s renderingshowing how Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s new campus might look when complete. (Scott Moe/X)
The Government of Saskatchewan announced in 2023 that it would commit $200 million toward the new campus.
Potash giant Nutrien donated $15 million towards the new campus, and philanthropist Joe Remai donated $25 million.
— with 650 CKOM files
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