It has been four years in the making but city and school officials along with members of the provincial and federal government officially welcomed a university campus to downtown Barrie. Science, technology. engineering, and math (STEM) programs will be offered at the campus, which is also the former site of the Barrie bus terminal. Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall said the campus will be an important part of the downtown, adding to the list of changes the downtown has seen. “Trying to ensure that our downtown is an anchor for our city, that it’s a positive for our city and really unlock that potential that exists in our young people and create opportunity, for them where it didn’t exist before,” said Nuttall. Lakehead University president and vice chancellor Gillian Siddall said the partnership between the education institution and the city was the main reason the campus was able to come together this quickly. “It’s always been part of Lakehead’s philosophy to be very community oriented and to serve the communities in which we’re located,” said Siddall. “So that students in that area can access a university at home in their own hometown, and then graduate and work in their hometown and help drive the economy, build the culture.” The location of the campus, familiar to other Lakehead campuses around the province. “It’s a beautiful downtown. It’s a beautiful city. Every one of Lakehead’s campuses is either on or very close to water,” said Siddall. “So we’re continuing that tradition with this campus here.” Federal Member of Parliament for Barrie South and Innisfil John Brassard adding the campus will be the future for many students currently living in the city “From this place, the innovators and the problem solvers of the future will go forward and, they’ll do it not just here in Barrie, they’ll do it across the country and around the world as well,” said Brassard. With Nuttall adding, the campus will have a lingering affect on the city. “When you think about the linkages to business, to our schooling system, kids graduating high school, the idea that they can stay here in town, that they can get incredible degrees from an incredible institution, and go right into the business sector here in town,” said Nuttall. “That is a huge advantage and a huge opportunity, and not just for the city, but for these young people and for our business community as well.” Lakehead University will also soon be opening another education hub at 5 Ross Street that is expected to be completed in the next few months.
