Northern College and Discovery Mining Ltd. (TSX: DSV, OTCQX: DSVSF) (“Discovery”) today announced a collaborative partnership that includes a $3 million investment in the Sports Dome, which will be renamed the Discovery Fieldhouse, and $2 million towards the development of an Environmental Technician Program designed to meet the workforce needs of Northern Ontario’s mining sector.
Discovery’s investment in the Discovery Fieldhouse represents the first major investment in community leisure infrastructure in the region in more than 40 years. Discovery is helping create a year-round recreational facility that will enhance the health and wellbeing of residents, strengthen community vitality, and make the region an even more attractive place to live, work, study, and invest.
“Discovery shares our vision for this facility and understands its importance to the wider community,” stated Mitch Dumas, President & CEO at Northern. “Community services and amenities are as important a draw for potential Northern College students as they are for those looking to find employment and build a life for themselves in the north.”
“At Discovery, we believe that strong communities are built through investment in people, health, education, and opportunity,” stated Tony Makuch, Chairman, President and CEO, Discovery Mining Ltd. “Supporting projects like the Discovery Fieldhouse reflects our commitment to helping Timmins grow and thrive while creating spaces that bring people together across generations.”
Discovery joins the City of Timmins, Caisse Alliance, the Northern College Student Association’s Timmins chapter and the Province of Ontario via the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation in supporting the Discovery Fieldhouse through financial and partnership contributions. Together, these investments reflect a shared commitment to strengthening community infrastructure. Discovery’s investment builds on a long legacy of mining companies supporting community activities in the Timmins region.
“Mining companies like Discovery have long played a critical role in the creation and maintenance of athletic and recreational facilities in the Timmins community and we are incredibly proud to partner in keeping that legacy alive,” added Dumas. “Discovery also understands the value of partnership and collaboration in the creation of tangible career opportunities close to home, knowing that students are far more likely to stay north if they have pathways to great paying jobs.”
The partnership with Northern College includes a $2.0 million investment in the co-development of the Environmental Technician program, launching in the Fall of 2027. This investment will support the program’s development, delivery and long-term sustainability while ensuring graduates possess the required skills for the industry.
“This incredible investment in the creation of the Environmental Technician Program is so much more than monetary support,” stated Jamie Johnston, Dean of Mining, Trades, Technology and Apprenticeship at Northern College. “The Discovery team have been critical in shaping the program, its curriculum, delivery modalities and learning priorities; we’ve worked closely for months to ensure the program closes the gap between academic requirements and tangible workforce needs.”
Funding from Discovery will also assist in the modernization of laboratory facilities at the Timmins Campus, program promotion, the creation of scholarships, student placements, experiential learning opportunities and talent pipelines for graduates.
“Environmental stewardship is a critical part of how Discovery operates, grows, and creates long-term value. Through our partnership with Northern College, we are investing in the next generation of environmental professionals who will help ensure responsible resource development for years to come,” added Makuch. By supporting the Environmental Technician program, we’re helping build a local talent pipeline that combines technical expertise with a strong understanding of the environmental and community priorities that matter most in Northern Ontario. This investment reflects our commitment to education, skills development, and creating meaningful career opportunities while ensuring our industry has access to the highly skilled local workforce needed to meet future environmental and sustainability challenges.”
Long-term collaboration with Discovery will strengthen Northern College’s ability to meet the specific needs of local industry and employers while supporting community development and advancing broader Provincial and Federal priorities for natural resource development.
“This partnership between Northern College and Discovery Mining is great news for Timmins and northern Ontario,” stated George Pirie, Member of Provincial Parliament for Timmins. “By investing in the new Environmental Technician program, the Sports Dome, and student opportunities, Discovery is investing in the future of our community. These investments will strengthen Northern College, attract more students and skilled workers to Timmins, and help ensure our growing resource sector has the talented workforce it needs for years to come.”
“From building the workforce for our in-demand sectors to supporting local health and recreation, our colleges and universities are the backbone of communities across Ontario,” stated Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “Our government welcomes this investment from Discovery Mining to Northern College, boosting the institution’s ability to deliver sought after programming, enhancing community infrastructure, and strengthening partnerships between institutions and employers.”
Shaping the future of opportunity and growth in Timmins and the surrounding region through partnerships demonstrates what can be achieved when industry and education work together toward a shared vision. By investing in students, community infrastructure, and workforce development, Discovery and Northern College are building a stronger, more prosperous future for Timmins and the surrounding region.
