Georgina one of several sites scouted for 100-acre private school campus

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 23, 2017
By Heidi Riedner

Georgina is one of several sites being scouted for a massive 100-acre private school campus in Ontario, according to the project manager for Canadian International School System (CIS).

Hugh McKeown updated council Sept. 20 regarding preliminary discussions the organization has had with the town's economic development department for a project that would not only build a "school of the future", but also "add to the town's industrial tax base and put Georgina on the map in terms of education".

Along with about 1,000 international students, the project could bring with it about 300+ jobs and shared use of facility spaces once completed.

Built in phases, the project - which is as an extension of the Canadian International School System in Vietnam in partnership with the Toronto District School Board - would involve the construction of a major campus similar in size and quality of education as Upper Canada, St. Andrew's and Pickering colleges, but a "little different" in terms of scope, McKeown said.

"Wayne Gretzky said he never went where the puck was, he went where he thought it was going to be. Same applies to education," McKeown said, adding the intent is not to duplicate what we already have in terms of education, but developing a school of the future.

The scope of the project involves establishing a secondary school in the first phase, followed by an elementary school.

Plans include dormitories, guest houses, administration and maintenance buildings, as well as art, horticulture and technology centres, indoor and outdoor sports complexes, including multi-use gymnasium and Olympic-size swimming pool.

Looking for the "right fit", McKeown said that would involve about 100 total acres in land and a municipality that is not only enthusiastic, but also willing to work with CIS to make the project happen.

"That's different than saying here's the hoops you have to go through," he said, adding the organization would like to have a site chosen soon.

"We'd certainly prefer not to wait until May."

CIS would also prefer the campus not be located in an industrial park, with the chosen property having the ability to be serviced sooner, rather than later.

Proximity to Toronto and the airport, a natural environment and a community conducive to learning are necessary prerequisites of the site.

"You put a school in the middle of Toronto, it's not exactly conducive to a quiet, learning space," he said.

Noting the "high financial threshold" that must be met with enrolment regulated by study permits issued under Global Affairs Canada, McKeown said between $80 and $100 million would be generated annually from the campus once all phases were established.

About 300+ jobs would be created in Georgina once the facility is established on top of anciliary jobs related to construction, McKeown added.

He estimated about 10 per cent of the students could stay in local area homes under the $15,000 per home homestead fee.

To put the potential economic benefit in context, McKeown said the total expenditure in 2012 of the 111,171 international students studying at all levels of education in Ontario was $3.5 billion.

In, 2015, it was $5.7 billion from 443,248 students.

Approximately 2,000 students were enrolled in private, public and separate schools boards in York Region in 2015, he added.

It's also been past practice of CSI to "share spaces" with host locations where appropriate, McKeown said, adding at least one discussion has taken place with the town's director of recreation and culture regarding the sports complex.

"We see being part of the community and working with the community and not just coming in, establishing the school and saying thank you very much and that's it."

Mayor Margaret Quirk said if McKeown wanted enthusiasm, she'd "dance down Woodbine Avenue" with him.

"I think I can say we would work with you 100 per cent to make Georgina that location," Quirk said.

Council directed staff to continue discussions with CIS regarding what all members considered a "great opportunity".