In mid-May 2010, Parkland College held community meetings in Canora, Fort Qu'Appelle, Esterhazy, Kamsack, Melville and Yorkton.These meetings were organized to collect information for the College's regular five-year review and to create a renewed vision for the future.
At each of the meetings, Dr. Fay Myers, Parkland College President, said, "This is your community, your region, and your future. Parkland College is here to support you in your development." She asked, "How can the College continue to enhance economic and community development in the Parkland region?"
At the community meetings, Parkland College unveiled plans for a new trades and technology centre that will enable it to better respond to the huge and growing need for trades and technology training within the Parkland area. The trades and technology centre will be located in Yorkton at the corner of Dracup Avenue and Highway #9 on land provided by the City of Yorkton.Currently the trades and technology centre is at the planning stage. An architectural concept has been developed and a feasibility study completed. The College will be launching a capital campaign to support development of the trades and technology centre.
Members of the public asked many questions at the public meetings and made many comments about the College's contribution to the community. "I was very pleased with the thoughtfulness and depth of the questions," Dr. Fay Myers commented.
The community said that: Individuals, employers, employees and communities across the Parkland region are benefiting from the College's programs.The College has enabled individuals to further their education and advance their careers. It has supported employers who want to train their staff and upgrade their operations.
There is a large and growing need for the type of basic education, trades and technology, and post-secondary programming offered by the College. "Parkland College responds to community needs," said William Litchfield, Parkland College's Director of Advancement. "Because of the way the College is structured, we are able to get new programs up and running very quickly, when they are needed," he said.
There is strong support for the establishment of a new trades and technology centre which will enable the College to significantly increase the amount of trades and technology programming it offers. There were many questions about the trades and technology centre at the public meetings and keen interest in the architectural drawings displayed.
Parkland College sees a bright future for the Parkland region. The May 2010 community meetings provided valuable information about the way the College can work with employees, business, industry and communities to create that future.
