Fanshawe unveils its newest campus
After much anticipation,
Fanshawe College finally
announced exactly where the new
School of Applied and Performing
Arts will be housed. On September
22, Dr. Howard Rundle held a
press conference announcing that
Fanshawe College is purchasing
the old Royal Trust building at 137
Dundas St., which will provide
50,000 square feet of space. The
purchase of this building is the first
of many phases that will bring
Fanshawe students downtown.
"Over the next few years, we anticipate an investment of up to $40 million to buy and renovate buildings in the downtown core, possibly including heritage buildings," said Rundle. Once completed, the school will feature about 110,000 square feet of space, housing 1,000 students and 75 staff members.
Immediately after the sale closes in October, the college will begin designing and renovating the building, which is set to open in September 2013 and will welcome 200 students. So far, Fanshawe has received commitments of $6 million and $20 million from the provincial government and the City of London respectively.
London Mayor Joe Fontana said this move will be crucial in the development of arts and culture in the core of the city. "(Fanshawe) coming downtown is an important evolution for the college. Why? Because modern cities want their students to be integrated with their communities, and there's no better place for arts and culture than to be downtown."
Rundle echoed Fontana's perspective, saying that if the community wants students to stay in London after they graduate, they need to be involved with the city. "They need to get to know our community: be moving in it, be working in it, playing in it," said Rundle.
The college hopes that by adding a downtown location, vital partnerships will be made between students and the already existing community downtown, including performance groups, businesses and cultural organizations. Conversely, these partnerships will benefit existing businesses and groups, providing skilled employees to help them grow.
President of Digital Extremes Michael Schmalz discussed what the move will mean for companies such as his own. Digital Extremes was listed as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers of 2011 by Maclean's magazine, and employs 100 of London's most creative people (many of whom are Fanshawe grads). "Having this many students right in the downtown core, supporting its development, it's important for the people who actually live and work down there as part of London's ongoing strategy," said Schmulz.
The new School of Applied and Performing Arts will focus on performing arts, art production, digital media and information technology. According to Rundle, the school is anticipated to contribute over $80 million to the local economy annually.
The college is continuing to look at other buildings that will help grow Fanshawe's presence in the downtown core.
"Over the next few years, we anticipate an investment of up to $40 million to buy and renovate buildings in the downtown core, possibly including heritage buildings," said Rundle. Once completed, the school will feature about 110,000 square feet of space, housing 1,000 students and 75 staff members.
Immediately after the sale closes in October, the college will begin designing and renovating the building, which is set to open in September 2013 and will welcome 200 students. So far, Fanshawe has received commitments of $6 million and $20 million from the provincial government and the City of London respectively.
London Mayor Joe Fontana said this move will be crucial in the development of arts and culture in the core of the city. "(Fanshawe) coming downtown is an important evolution for the college. Why? Because modern cities want their students to be integrated with their communities, and there's no better place for arts and culture than to be downtown."
Rundle echoed Fontana's perspective, saying that if the community wants students to stay in London after they graduate, they need to be involved with the city. "They need to get to know our community: be moving in it, be working in it, playing in it," said Rundle.
The college hopes that by adding a downtown location, vital partnerships will be made between students and the already existing community downtown, including performance groups, businesses and cultural organizations. Conversely, these partnerships will benefit existing businesses and groups, providing skilled employees to help them grow.
President of Digital Extremes Michael Schmalz discussed what the move will mean for companies such as his own. Digital Extremes was listed as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers of 2011 by Maclean's magazine, and employs 100 of London's most creative people (many of whom are Fanshawe grads). "Having this many students right in the downtown core, supporting its development, it's important for the people who actually live and work down there as part of London's ongoing strategy," said Schmulz.
The new School of Applied and Performing Arts will focus on performing arts, art production, digital media and information technology. According to Rundle, the school is anticipated to contribute over $80 million to the local economy annually.
The college is continuing to look at other buildings that will help grow Fanshawe's presence in the downtown core.
