[ssiguy]

I also see that Bayside Centre is also getting a make over with retirement homes which is great. Sarnia is particularly well positioned for future growth especially due to it's potential hub for hydrogen production. It's relatively mild climate and still affordable housing could also be a draw for retiring seniors and young families.

Sarnia's biggest drawback, as you noted, is it's lack of a university. Barrie is the only other major city in the province without a full university but even there Laurentian has a campus, Georgian offers many degree programs in conjunction with other universities, and GO rail goes right to York U. Sarnia, on the other hand, has absolutely nothing but a small Western research lab. Any kid wanting to get a degree essentially is forced to leave the city and most never return. Sarnia's top economic priority must be to get a sizeable Western campus offering an array of degrees so getting an education and leaving the city are not one in the same.

All Sarnia/Lambton politicians should bring all weight to bear on QP to get a Western campus in the city and they would get a lot of support from Chatham/Kent as well aas they too have no university except U. Guelph Ridgetown.