The groundbreaking of the new Parry Sound campus of Canadore College marks the beginning of construction of the permanent home for the area's college students.

Parry Sound-Muskoka MP and Minister of Industry Tony Clement and Canadore College president and CEO Barbara Taylor announced the groundbreaking Jan. 15.

The new 15,000-square-foot campus will increase access to a range of programs including skilled trades, health sciences and hospitality and tourism that regional employers have identified as essential to the area’s economic sustainability. The new campus will allow the college to double its enrolment by the 2011 fall semester.

The project received federal and provincial funding totalling $6.2 million through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program and Ontario’s 2009 budget.

The current Canadore Parry Sound campus is located in office space in the downtown area.