SLEMON PARK, P.E.I. — Slemon Park Corporation is modernizing an under-utilized building at the former airbase property so Holland College’s Atlantic Police Academy can deliver an 18-month Correctional Training Program for Correctional Service Canada.
More than 300 recruits, in groups of 32, will receive training at the site at the northern edge of Summerside between June of this year and August 2020.
“This is great news not only for Slemon Park, but for Summerside and the region as a whole,” said Economic Development Minister Chris Palmer. “Having this many recruits residing here over the life of the contract will bring a boost to local businesses and service providers and will allow Slemon Park to add modern upgrades to one of its facilities.”
Palmer is hopeful the contract will lead to other contracts.
Island taxpayers are loaning the corporation $995,000 to invest in new infrastructure and complete renovations and upgrades to Slemon Park Building #48.
“We will be proving to Correctional Services Canada, once again, what a great training facility we have here in P.E.I., and what quality training that they do get.
“I think that’s a huge win for us. The more work we can be doing for those folks the more opportunity we could have in the future,” said Palmer.
Slemon Park and the police academy’s facilities have been utilized by a variety of organizations, including the RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency, Parks Canada, Department of National Defense and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
“Very worst case, we end up doing some national training here for over a year and we have brand new facilities paid for,” Palmer said, noting the Slemon Park Corporation will be able to repay the provincial government’s loan through contract income.
The 32 recruits at a time are also expected to help generate income opportunities for other facilities on site, including the Slemon Park Hotel.
“The Atlantic Police Academy is a leader in public safety training in Canada,” said Dr. Sandy MacDonald, President of Holland College. “Our strong partnerships with the Government of Prince Edward Island and Slemon Park Corporation help us bring training opportunities like this to fruition.
“The renovations not only enable us to provide training facilities for the Correctional Service of Canada Correctional Training Program, the facility will also benefit our own students in the Atlantic Police Academy Correctional Officer program well into the future.”
