News release

Plans to Relocate NSCC Marconi Campus Moving Ahead

Premier's Office

Government is taking the first step in relocating the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Marconi Campus to downtown Sydney, a move that will strengthen the institution and provide an economic boost to the urban core.

Premier Stephen McNeil announced today, Nov. 24, that a request for proposals has been issued to determine the best approach for relocating the campus.

“A downtown campus will be an economic driver, bringing more energy to the downtown,” said Premier McNeil. “This study will determine how we can make this shift in the best way possible for students, faculty, and the community.”

The study will be conducted in three phases.

The first phase includes identifying current and future program opportunities, targeted consultations with NSCC, Cape Breton University and Cape Breton Regional Municipality, and identifying potential uses for the current Marconi Campus once a new campus has been built.

The second phase will identify current and proposed space and infrastructure requirements for the new Marconi Campus, as well as potential sites in downtown Sydney.

The third phase will review options for construction and determine the estimated costs.

The final report from each phase will serve as a direction for the development and construction of the new Marconi Campus.

“The extensive discussions involved in this next step will help produce a thorough scope of the details needed to outline a move of our Marconi Campus to the downtown core,” said NSCC president Don Bureaux. “As Nova Scotia’s community college, we are continually looking at new options to extend our reach and enhance our work to help build the province’s economy and quality of life.

“With the aim of the project to help both strengthen student enrolment and support the revitalization of the downtown, this is a great opportunity to do just that.”

“The staff, executive, and members of the Sydney Waterfront District are ecstatic about this announcement,” said Michelle Wilson, executive director, Sydney Waterfront District Business Association. “The move of the NSCC to our downtown core means an influx of people into the heart of our city. The final result will mean more people in our streets, restaurants, shops, services and enjoying our arts and culture.”

The consultant is expected to begin work in February. The initial term of the contract will be for 12 months, with the option to extend by six months.

Interested applicants can submit proposals by following instructions outlined in the request for proposals. Once the deadline is passed, applications will be reviewed and an award will be made within eight weeks.

The request for proposals is posted on the government procurement site, https://novascotia.ca/tenders/tenders/tender-details.aspx?id=WS105316629.

The campus is now located on Grand Lake Road near Cape Breton University.