Work is officially underway on a major addition to Owen Sound's Georgian College.
Dignitaries gathered at the college to mark the start of construction of the Marine Emergency Duties Training and Research Centre. The facility will train future Great Lakes mariners as well as providing upgrades for employees already in the industry.
Georgian College President MaryLynn West-Moynes says it's a great day for the college and the area.
"We are in the process of building the most sophisticated marine emergency training facility in the country right here in Owen Sound," says West-Moynes.
The $7.5-million facility is possible through provincial and federal grant money as well as investment form the Great Lakes shipping industry, including $1-million from Algoma Central Corporation and $500,000 from Lower Great Lakes Towing.
"It's a good news story about how industry, a college and a community can work together," says West-Moynes.
The facility in Owen Sound is expected to open in September 2016.