SIAST Palliser didnt get portion of $118 million in govt funding because school did not apply for it

The director of SIAST Palliser Campus in Moose Jaw said the school did not receive a portion of the $118 million handed out in funding last June from the provincial and federal governments because school representatives did not apply for it.
"The application window was quite narrow for this particular program," said Peter Lapointe. The lack of funding from the governments was brought up during Monday's city council meeting by councillor Brian Swanson.
Swanson said in June of this year, the two governments came together to fund the $118-million Knowledge Infrastructure Program.
Of that money, none was allocated to Palliser.
Twenty-one other post-secondary institutions received a portion of the program's money.
Lapointe said although SIAST did not pursue this opportunity, it is hoping for new opportunities in the near future.
With that said, Lapointe added that Palliser is currently part of an government-funded infrastructure program that has seen over $8 million in funding in the last four years.
"So there are still a number of positive things happening at the campus."
Some of the infrastructure improvements include a $215,000 kitchen renovation, a $568,000 roofing project for electrical areas, $431,000 on asbestos removal in the school's crawl space and an $1.4-million project upgrading the ventilation system in the school's 1958 wing.
Lapointe said that is just a shortlist of the projects the school has taken on.
To understand the full extent of what the school is doing and the funding it receives, he said people have to look at Palliser as a whole.
"Palliser campus is an important campus for SIAST and we are doing ongoing projects to ensure our facilities and our programs are up to date and modernized."
As for programming, Lapointe said the school will be seeing added space its apprenticeship programs as early as this fall.
In regards to the city wanting to contact the government on behalf of the school, he said that is 100 per cent up to the city.
Lapointe said Palliser does provide the city with an update of where the school stands and what projects it has completed, are in the process of completing and are expected in the future. As well, he said SIAST and the government have made a strong financial commitment to maintaining a viable campus, within the city of Moose Jaw.

Lyndsay McCready can be reached at 691-1256.

G: - September 18, 2009 at 14:46:45

Still, show me something that says who has the responsibility of applying for this funding.
Is it the schools?
Is it the cities?
Is it a central SIAST (head office-so to speak) decision as stated above?
From what I can see Palliser Campus is quite satisfied with their current funding, unless I'm interpreting Mr. Lapointe's comments wrong, but it sure doesn't seem like their upset about being so called left out.

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Not surprisingly expected: - September 18, 2009 at 14:38:40

Are you kidding? What do you expect him to say? He likes his job. SIAST is a centrally controlled mandate, with decissions made in Saskatoon. Palliser campus has not seen any expansion (in fact has lost programs), in more than fifteen years.

Not surprisingly expected: - September 18, 2009 at 14:32:03

The key here G is like many others that comment, you really should know more about what is actually going on before you comment. You are saying that council should not be concerned as the key institute in Moose Jaw are slowly starved to death. Hey dont worry we can all work in the tourist business or build the multimess. If you dont understand where SIAST gets its marching orders from and the politics behind those decisions then please stop trying to make such ludicrous assertions. By the way, the last Palliser management individual that questioned the lack of commitment to this campus was summarily fired.

Terrance: - September 18, 2009 at 14:24:49

I think Swanson is in love with the sound of his own voice.

connie: - September 18, 2009 at 14:20:52

The curriculum for educational aides needs to be MUCH MUCH stronger. Educational aides come out not being knowledgeable enough about intellectual disabilities.

Educational aides and mentors are not knowledgeable about intellectual disabilities yet educational aides and mentors take on FAR, FAR TOO MUCH RESPONSIBILITY for teaching special needs students.

Educational AIDES should be AIDES AND NOT TEACHERS-- aides should not be taking on the role of the teachers..

Kisa: - September 18, 2009 at 14:16:56

Another goose chase.....

observer: - September 18, 2009 at 14:09:47

So why would they not apply for such funding?
Someone asleep at the wheel or just plain lazy?
All this story is trying to do is deflect the fact that they missed the boat and thus find fault in those who bring these shortcomings to the public eye.

G: - September 18, 2009 at 13:54:22

No, I'm not kidding. I'm quite sure had he said something along the line of, more funding of any kind is always welcome , his job wouldn't be in jeopardy, as you put it. But seeing as your the know it all and say SIAST is a centrally controlled mandate and decisions are made in Saskatoon you have answered the question for everyone. - Saskatoon dropped the ball - they are in charge, - they are the reason Palliser Campus got left out . And by your(that) reasoning the City Of Moose Jaw should not be brought into this issue. You said it. Who is missing the point? Not me, I stick to my original comment saying this topic was used to grandstand in a council meeting about a topic in which everyone already knows how he feels. End of story.

G: - September 18, 2009 at 13:49:37

Swanson, your not a stupid man and everyone knows you research topics before debate. You've known all along why there was no funding.
You should be ashamed of yourself for wasting everyones time by using council meetings to still grandstand against a project you oppose (watch and listen to his speech on this topic at the meeting). Its done, whether you oppose or support, move on, use the time to better the city instead of continually whine.

Not surprisingly expected: - September 18, 2009 at 13:47:34

G and Kisa - As usual we are missing the point (the same goes for Lyndsay McCready). Why wasnt Palliser included in the request? This was a central SIAST decision, not a local one. All the money spent at Palliser has been on facility maintenance, not program enhancement. If you dont see the writing on the wall then you are blind.