Recently, Portage College moved its electrical program from Bonnyville to Cold Lake. The equipment the college used to teach the course was left behind in the move, as it was property of The Town of Bonnyville. This prompted Portage College to ask The City of Cold Lake to assist in purchasing new equipment.
Mayor of Cold Lake, Craig Copeland, says the city is willing to invest in the college, “we’re excited about the electrical lab,” Mayor Copeland ponders what else could be in store, “could that spin off to instrumentation? Can we look at welding? Can we look at a whole buncha trades coming into that site?”
Mayor Copeland explains that City Council has agreed to help financially, “we’re going to look at some kind of funding agreement with Portage, but maybe look at it as more of a community investment in terms of trades in the Cold Lake campus.” Copeland explains Cold Lake’s CAO Kevin Nagoya will work with Portage College, “on an agreement in terms of investing in Cold Lake on college programming.”
Portage has expressed interest in growing with Cold Lake and the city sees an opportunity with the expansion of the Energy Centre to invest in education. “The college is looking at expanding their campus in that area,” explains Mayor Copeland, “when you look at Portage College and The City, we’re both investing in the same area for long-term, quality of life for the community.”  The Mayor goes on to say, “we’re both in it together and we’re going to make that facility a vital part of Cold Lake and area.”
The exact dollar amount of the city’s investment is still being worked out. Mayor Copeland expect Council to work details out during the summer with a plan in place for the fall.