Wilfrid Laurier University president and vice-chancellor Max Blouw says he will resubmit a bid in 2016 to the Province for a satellite campus in Milton, but isn’t sure what’s going to change by next spring.
The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities announced last Thursday that a fund earmarked for the expansion of a post-secondary institution would be going to York University for the new Markham Centre campus, in partnership with Seneca College. York University’s bid beat out 12 other submissions, including Wilfrid Laurier’s proposal for a satellite campus to be built in the Milton Education Village off of Tremaine Road.
On the same day, the ministry also announced that a second call for proposal would be issued in spring 2016 targeting the Peel and Halton regions.
“Wait a minute, I thought I already did that,” said Blouw, reflecting on why he has to resubmit what was already presented in March 2013.
He told the Champion he felt the initial bid reflected the province’s requirements, including evidence that the community is growing at a substantial rate with little or no access to post-secondary institutions.
“We thought we submitted a very strong bid the first time. I’m not sure what’s going to change,” he added.
May Nazer from the communications branch of the ministry told the Champion York was selected by an evaluation panel for “its potential to deliver undergraduate education in an underserved community, improve quality and innovation, achieve cost effectiveness and help build Ontario’s economy.”
She also added, affordability was a key factor for a project that the ministry predicts will cost upward of $100 million. “Institutions were expected to include substantial third party resources in their proposals.”
Halton MPP Indira Naidoo-Harris said it was to the benefit of York University that a partnership had already been ironed out with Seneca College when the bid was submitted.
Although Blouw didn’t see York’s application, he said Laurier’s proposal included a commitment from the Town of Milton for a 150-acre chunk of land valued at “at least $50 million.”
“And some of the elements are already there,” he added, referencing the velodrome which was to be a shared space between town residents and future Laurier students.
“We never concluded it was a done deal, but we were very confident we put in a strong proposal.”
The campus was to be part of the 400-acre Milton Education Village, which would house a transit hub, student residences and an innovation centre.
Mayor Gord Krantz was also disappointed by the announcement, saying “it only strengthens our (the Town) resolve to make the Milton Education Village a reality.”
“A university campus is key to building a complete community and we will continue to work closely with Laurier to bring that vision to life,” he added.
Harris told the Champion, "I know how important this Wilfrid Laurier University satellite campus was for the town of Milton and the riding of Halton… while we didn’t win this round, we have been granted the unique and special opportunity of being singled out for a second round.”
Blouw said he had a meeting with Town staff on Wednesday night when he received the phone call from the ministry informing him of its decision. He’s confident the land promised by the Town will remain allocated for a satellite campus.
Laurier and the Town had signed a memorandum of understanding back in 2008 with the goal of bringing a university campus to Canada’s fastest growing municipality.
The ministry will review its evaluation process with the unsuccessful candidates before the spring 2016 submission. Blouw said he would take what he could from that experience so as to ensure a successful bid next time around.
In the meantime, Blouw said he considers the decision a “lost opportunity for the community, the region, the university and the province.”
Rachael Williams can be reached at rwilliams@miltoncanadianchampion.com or on Twitter @MiltonReports.
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