FANSHAWE COLLEGE: It’s a major step in nailing down financing for the downtown campus
The $40-million downtown arts campus for Fanshawe College is one step closer with a commitment of $6 million in provincial funding.
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The announcement was made at the community college Friday by London-Fanshawe MPP Khalil Ramal.
Fanshawe president Howard Rundle said the project would accommodate the expansion of Fanshawe and provide a major economic boost for the downtown.
"Arts and culture are a big business. Businesses want to locate in cities with a vibrant cultural scene," he said.
The city has already committed up to $20 million to the project and Fanshawe's board of governors has pledged $7 million in capital reserves with the rest coming from community fundraising.
Mayor Joe Fontana said city council's commitment is an investment in jobs and education.
"Education is at the centre of who we are and what we can be. We want to dream of making London the education capital of the country," Fontana said at the announcement.
Rundle said the location and configuration of the downtown campus is still in the planning stages and the buildings may not be adjacent to one other.
He said the campus plan is based on buying and renovating existing buildings rather than new construction.
Rundle said Fanshawe is moving to acquire the first of the buildings needed for the campus.
"We would like to close on that building by the end of the summer so we can start doing the design work. We can't do anything until we know what we have," he said.
The campus is expected to bring about 1,000 students and 75 staff downtown for a number of programs including theatre, design, digital media and culinary and hospitality programs.
The school expects the first facility in the new campus to open in September 2013.
Fanshawe leases space in Citi Plaza for theatre arts programs, continuing education and job search services. Rundle said Fanshawe may continue to use that space even after the new campus opens