CONFEDERATION COLLEGE
SUCCI Wellness Centre, "Minowaadiziiwin" Named at Recognition Event for Student Union's $8.5 Million Contribution

Confederation College formally recognized the $8.5 million contribution from its Student Union (SUCCI) to its new Wellness Centre today (1/23). The event highlighted the significant support of students, and together, Confederation College and the Student Union announced that the name for the new facility would be SUCCI Wellness Centre, "Minowaadiziiwin".

Officials noted it was important to honour the incredible student contribution and to incorporate an Indigenous name to respect the traditional lands the facility is built on, as well as to represent the College's longstanding ties to Indigenous education. The name Minowaadiziiwin means "Lead a Good Life" which perfectly reflects the values of the facility and is hoped to inspire students and community members to do just that.

"A contribution of this size is unprecedented from our Student Union, and their commitment to students and the continued development of our campus is deeply appreciated," said Jim Madder, President of Confederation College. "This new Centre will work to meet the evolving wellness needs of students and be a legacy our students can be proud of for decades to come."

"The Student Union felt it was important to support a new Student Wellness Centre to ensure the future of wellness on campus for all students," said Jodi Connor, President of the Student Union (SUCCI). "We are proud to be a key partner in this project and honoured to have the Centre named with us in mind. This new facility will focus on more than just fitness, providing an opportunity for students to de-stress and unwind, get healthy, socialize or simply engage in quiet reflection."

An additional $2 million of funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) was previously announced in May 2016. The remaining $2.9 million of the $13.4 million project will be financed by Confederation College. Highlights of the new facility include a gymnasium, running track, cardio and strength training rooms, as well as space designated for academic needs.

Tom Jones Corporation and FORM Architecture Engineering are leading the construction and design of the SUCCI Wellness Centre, "Minowaadiziiwin." The project is slated for completion in the fall of 2017.

Dignitaries helped to celebrate the naming of the SUCCI Wellness Centre, "Minowaadiziiwin" at an event recognizing the Student Union's contribution of $8.5 million.

From left, SUCCI Board member and Confederation College Board of Governor Harsh Malik, SUCCI Board member Venkata Sundaram, SUCCI President Jodi Connor, Minister of Municipal Affairs & MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan Bill Mauro, SUCCI Board member Marco Chiappetta, Confederation College President Jim Madder, Tom Jones Corporation's Andrew Campbell and Parker Jones, Confederation College Vice President, College Services Ken Adams and Ministry of Northern Development and Mines and NOHFC representative Scott MacKinnon.

Confederation College has been serving the citizens of northwestern Ontario since 1967 meeting the educational needs of students in a catchment area of some 550,000 square kilometres. Along with its main campus in Thunder Bay, Confederation College has eight regional sites located in Dryden, Fort Frances, Geraldton, Kenora, Marathon, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake and Wawa.

Confederation College delivers exceptional education and training to an average of 7,800 combined full and part-time students per year and currently has a total of 805 full and part-time employees. Confederation's regional economic impact and contribution is valued at $411.2 million annually.

Click here to read the full press release.