Collingwood Soon To Be A College Town

Everyone has surely heard about the fall from grace of our local MP for Simcoe-Grey, Helena Guergis so we won't even go there. One of her last acts before being expelled from the Conservative caucus though was to bring some very good news to our area.

Georgian College will receive an investment of $4 million for a new Collingwood Campus through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). While Georgian has had a presence in Collingwood for many decades, it has been a part-time campus more or less with locations spread out around the town. In a recent media release, Brian Tamblyn, President and CEO of Georgian College stated, "This investment in a new, permanent home for Georgian College serving Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Clearview Township, Meaford and Town of the Blue Mountains, will go far in helping to address short and long-term economic needs of the entire area. A new consolidated campus will allow Georgian to continue to expand its enrollment by as much as 20 per cent annually."

I've also heard that the College will have degree granting capabilities through its University Partnerships Program. For a very long time now, Collingwood has identified the need for a full-time post-secondary education facility in the community. Mayor Chris Carrier and Collingwood Council are to be congratulated for their significant efforts in bringing this about. While the location has not yet been announced, rumour has it that it will be located in the new Industrial Park at the south-east end of town.

P.S. Ski Season Passes On Sale
You can save the PST on your 2010/2011 ski pass for Blue Mountain if you hurry. The 5 x 7 ski pass allows you to ski 5 days a week, Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4:30 pm and 7 nights a week too from 4:40 pm to 10 pm. If you buy your pass for next season before April 30th, the cost if just $169.00 plus GST (no PST). Check it out at www.bluemountain.ca