Redeemer blessed with federal cash - Christian Liberal Arts university gets over $2.9 million

Redeemer University College is getting nearly $3 million in capital funding from the federal government.

The $2.947 million grant will allow the school to retrofit its Garner Road campus with state-of-the-art solar panels, upgrade science labs, install new energy efficient windows and improve environmental sustainability.

It’s the largest single source contribution in the school’s 23- year history and the first capital grant Redeemer has ever received from the federal government. Redeemer is an independent, fully accredited Christian Liberal Arts University that does not typically receive government capital funding.

Conservative MP David Sweet announced the funding at Redeemer in a special presentation on May 29. Federal funds will be matched by Redeemer’s capital reserves, enabling about $6 million in total upgrades between now and March, 2011. Funding was secured through the federal government’s Knowledge Infrastructure Program.

Construction is slated to begin this summer. Redeemer president Dr. Justin Cooper said the new solar panels will help the university save $80,000 annually on electricity costs. The solar panels alone are estimated at $1.3 million.

“It’s a very big moment for us,” said Mr. Cooper, “for Redeemer and for other private institutions.”