Two Simcoe County post-secondary institutions will share $7.2M to continue modernizing their facilities while addressing capital needs.
Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop unveiled the new infrastructure funding for Georgian College and Lakehead University following a tour of Georgian College's Robbert Hartog campus in Midland Wednesday.
“We know that students need the tools and the space to learn,” said Dunlop, who is also the province’s Minister of Colleges and Universities.
“Georgian College's and Lakehead's investments are two great examples of how colleges and universities are using the capital funding. I have seen how capital projects can make an impact on our colleges and universities.”
Under the funding that’s part of the government’s three-year, $583 million investment in public colleges and universities, Georgian College is receiving $4 million while Lakehead takes home $3.2 million.
Institutions can use the new dollars to modernize classrooms by upgrading technology, carrying out critical repairs, improving their environmental sustainability and supporting virtual-learning projects that increase access to post-secondary education for students.
Georgian College president MaryLynn West-Moynes said the ongoing funding has been critical to her school’s success, which has helped modernize equipment and resources to support programs such as the school’s new stand-alone Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at its Barrie and Owen Sound campuses.
West-Moynes also had high praise for Dunlop in her ministerial role.
“I believe education is the great equalizer in life and I’m glad we have a minister who gets it,” said West-Moynes, who noted the school used part of last year’s funding to install a new roof in Midland.
“It’s important we work hard to maintain the facilities we have here in Ontario.”
Georgian also plans to purchase a variety of equipment for their Collaborative Nursing program at their Barrie and Owen Sound campuses, including: a code-blue notification system, wheelchairs, student charting stations, a floor lift and a crash cart as well as upgrades to its elevators, HVAC systems and classrooms.
“If ever Ontario needs (post-secondary institution) graduates, it’s right now,” West-Moynes said. “At Georgian, we pride ourselves on giving more than an education, we give an experience.”
Over at Lakehead, meanwhile, Orillia campus principal Dean Jobin-Bevans said the funding will help upgrade AV/IT/WIFI/conferencing infrastructure in engineering, health and sciences spaces that serves to enhance virtual/hybrid/remote/experiential learning as well as increased access for Indigenous and northern communities.
“We’re creating safe learning environments for our students. But not all students are able to travel to pursue their post-secondary education,” Jobin-Blevans said, noting the technological upgrades will also help the school attract international students.
The Orillia school also plans to perform maintenance on its boilers, chillers and pumps while replacing cooling towers and the fire alarm system at its main campus buildings.
Dunlop said she understands that post-secondary institutions have had to be “nimble” as they navigate and keep operating during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which began in Canada in March 2020.
“Regardless of where you go in the province, you can see projects that are making a real difference,” she said.
Dunlop also noted that she was impressed by the Midland campus's metamorphosis over the years, including its status as one of the only schools now offering a marine engine mechanic’s program.
“It’s amazing to see how things have changed since I was here years ago,” said Dunlop, who once worked at Georgian.
“As a former faculty member and now as Minister of Colleges and Universities, I know the importance of post-secondary institutions and high-quality technology and learning spaces for their (students’) careers."
