NORTH BATTLEFORD —The City of North Battleford has written a letter of support for a new campus for North West College.
Contents of the draft letter was shared at Tuesday night’s council meeting held at Don Ross Centre.
Mayor David Gillan explained at the meeting that North West College had been looking at a new campus for a number of years, and was now putting effort into bringing a proposal to the province for the 2022-23 budget.
The College was asking key partners in the region, including municipalities and First Nation organizations, for support. Among the contents of the letter from the city are the following:
“As a partner of North West College, we directly experience the positive impacts that the College has on our community and recognize the urgent need for a modern learning environment. With an enrolment of 61 per cent First Nations students, North West College is a major driver of social and economic prosperity in the northwest region of the province.
“Acknowledging that a new campus is not just about a larger building in which more students can learn, there are also significant benefits to the community as a whole. These include the opportunities to provide housing, childcare services, access to healthcare services, and other economic development.
“Supporting the construction of a new campus for North West College will also create a welcoming space that provides students and staff with a facility capable of fulfilling the need for post-secondary education in the region, enhancing student success, and fostering connections among students, local industries and the broader community.”
In addition to the letter, council also voted in favour of a motion in support of the North West College proposal. That carried unanimously.
North West College is currently located at 10702 - Diefenbaker Dr. in North Battleford, adjacent to North Battleford Comprehensive High School. There was no mention at the meeting of where a potential new campus might be located.
