After a pitch from local Lakehead University officials Monday night, city councillors curiously decided to halt, at least temporarily, its support of the institution’s plan to conduct a feasibility study related to a potential recreation facility at the Orillia campus.
On Feb. 25, following discussion in closed session, councillors supported, “in principle, the concept of complementary community recreation facilities being developed and leased to a third party on lands owned by Lakehead University.”
In addition, council supported, “in principle, Lakehead University and a third party undertaking a market feasibility study to determine potential recreational uses for the land.”
This week, following a presentation from campus principal Dean Jobin-Bevans and director of student success, Chris Glover, council backtracked.
Coun. Ted Emond said he couldn’t “discuss the substance of the matter” because it was a closed session matter.
“I can say in listening to the Lakehead presentation this evening, I have significant questions I would like to raise with respect to the matter that were not, in my mind, raised during the initial (closed session) discussion,” said Emond.
That was a concern echoed by Coun. Jay Fallis and Coun. Pat Hehn, among others.
Coun. Mason Ainsworth, a Lakehead student who will graduate in April, said he was not in favour of delaying support nor in discussing the matter again behind closed doors.
The Ward 3 councillor noted a feasibility study would only “determine potential use in the future” and did not bind council to anything.
“I think it’s important we let those discussions move forward and that work move forward so we can have a more fulsome discussion in the future,” said Ainsworth.
In the end, however, the majority of council agreed to postpone the decision and reevaluate the matter in a closed session prior to the next council committee meeting March 25.
After Monday’s meeting, Emond said he could not provide any more information about the “significant” questions that prompted him to seek further debate in closed session.
“I felt the need to further clarify the parameters of a feasibility study so that our support is not misinterpreted by the parties,” Emond told OrilliaMatters. “Sorry, I cannot provide further clarity at this time.”
The Lakehead pitch
Lakehead officials provided council with an update on their “Building for the Future” project at Monday night’s meeting.
Jobin-Bevans told council the process has been ongoing for two years and has involved two surveys of students, staff and faculty.
He said Lakehead is “developing a framework for multipurpose space at Lakehead Orillia to meet priority needs” and to “address the Orillia student experience and support for future growth and enrolment.”
Glover said officials are “working to address a more comprehensive student experience directly on our campus (which) directly relates to our ability to recruit and retain students.”
He said recreation and athletics routinely top the list on student surveys. He noted students currently receive a YMCA membership as part of their fees, but 28.5 percent of students fail to activate the pass while an additional 35 percent activate it but don’t use it regularly.
“A lot of our students live in residence without a vehicle, so it’s about an hour to the YMCA (on transit),” noted Glover, adding students would like to see work-out space and fitness equipment on campus.
Many also would like to see more group space, quiet study area, a social lounge and a pub.
“In summary in terms of what we’ve heard … recreation is a big theme but it’s much bigger than that in terms of supporting a more comprehensive student experience,” said Glover.
Jobin-Bevans agreed.
“I know council is aware of the fantastic opportunity that was presented recently,” he said, referencing the potential to partner with a third party to build/operate a facility at the west Orillia campus.
“But as you can see, that only is a small part of the comprehensive student experience on campus,” he noted.
“More broadly speaking, we are also in need as we grow enrolment, in academic and science spaces as well.”
He noted the recreation/social space is “a very narrow part of this” and to say that’s the focus “is a bit of a deception.”
“We have a number of balls in the air ... and until things start to clarify for us, the absolute positive definition for what this space or spaces may in fact look like on campus is still to be determined,” Jobin-Bevans told councillors.
Following the presentation, Emond asked how the city and other community partners can work together with Lakehead to ensure programming is relevant and "align with those of our needs as a community for economic development?”
Jobin-Bevans said officials are constantly evaluating program offerings. He said the new masters of social work program has been “very successful. We are starting to look at other health possibilities.”
Emond also asked what the school is doing to improve post-secondary school participation in the region, which is considerably lower than other parts of the province.
“Part of our function within the county is to improve participation rates,” said Jobin-Bevans, who noted about 18 percent of people in Simcoe County choose post-secondary education; provincially 32 percent of people attend post-secondary school.
“There is a gap … we are very aware of that,” said Jobin-Bevans, noting Lakehead has developed “a dynamic partnership program with Georgian College” to help address the gap.
Glover said Lakehead Orillia is also piloting a project that targets students in Grade 8 and Grade 9 to generate awareness about post-secondary options in the area.
Coun. Pat Hehn wondered if the Orillia campus was putting too much emphasis on recreational and athletic needs, noting “not everyone is a jock.”
Glover conceded the focus has not yet narrowed.
“I don’t think what will emerge out of this is one silver bullet that is going to solve all of our challenges,” said Glover. “I think as this develops further it’s quite possible those elements will emerge into multiple projects.”
He said the school has to “look within our means and within our size (to determine) what’s reasonable to achieve.”
