The federal and provincial governments are touting the addition of a lecture theatre and daycare centre as a major improvement to Nicola Valley Institute of Technology's Merritt campus.

The two governments and NVIT jointly funded the $2.7-million construction of the 706-square metre (7,600-sq. ft.) facility that contains the theatre and daycare, which officially opened on Sept. 15.

B.C. Aboriginal Relations Minister George Abbott attended the opening ceremony, as did Fraser-Nicola MLA Harry Lali. Lali presented a commemorative plaque to Ken Tourand, NVIT's president.

Doug Sharpe, assistant to Okanagan-Coquihalla MP Stockwell Day, appeared on Day's behalf and delivered a congratulatory message from the MP. Day was in Vancouver touring a software firm that is making computer programs related to the production of the F-35 fighter jet.

NVIT students and officials and First Nations elders from the Nicola Valley and around the province were also present at the ceremony.

The new building houses a 144-seat, state-of-the-art lecture theatre that doubles as a site for larger NVIT events like convocation, a conference venue, and is available for use by community groups in the Nicola Valley.

It is also home to a new child-care centre with an outdoor playground that is licensed to care for 28 preschool-aged children. Children of NVIT students will be given priority when filling the available spaces.

A joint federal-provincial statement quoted Tourand as saying, "This is a fantastic addition to NVIT, and the City of Merritt and NVIT appreciates both the federal and provincial governments for funding this project."

"The facility will provide an area for modest-sized groups to gather and much-needed child care for our students."

Tourand noted that the theatre has already played host to a conference and added that the Nicola Valley Film Society has moved there from the Merritt Civic Centre. It showed its first film in the theatre, Cooking with Stella, on Monday night.

"This really is a win for aboriginal education and the NVIT community at large."

Day said, "This investment created jobs for people at a critical period, while enhancing the infrastructure that the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology needs for years to come."

"This project enhances the learning environment for students and faculty and supports the continued growth of this unique institution." said Abbott.

Funding the project shows the provincial government's commitment to providing access to world-class education and the opportunities that come from it to B.C. aboriginals, he said.