Gaelic College gets big renovation, government money

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

Some of the work has already started, and CEO Rodney MacDonald says the 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. "A new steel roof is being placed on the Hall of the Clans this spring.

"A new maintenance building is being constructed. We have 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 $366,000 to 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," said Sydney-Victoria MP Mark Eyking, 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 $17,000 for the outdoor gym. The college itself raised $230,000.

"We want to each 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.