On October 18, several students from the Construction Carpentry – Sustainable program were on hand at Centre Street in Oshawa to help raise the first walls for CentreTowne, the project currently being undertaken by Habitat Humanity, Durham.

Under the leadership of Professor Don Fishley, students have been helping to construct the walls and helped raise the first ones on the foundations.

“It is an amazing opportunity for students to get real hands on training, and it really boosts Durham College in the eyes of the community,” said Fishley.

The students were joined by representatives from the local community including Oshawa Mayor John Henry, former Durham College Board Chair and vice-president at Lakeridge Health Oshawa Darrell Sewell, and Donna McFarlane, vice-president, Durham College.

The CentreTowne project has provided students the opportunity to apply the skills they’ve learned to a wonderful cause – helping Habitat for Humanity build homes and build hope. CentreTowne is a 24-unit townhouse project that started in May 2012 and will be spread over four years with a block of four to six townhouses being built each year.