York University's Markham Centre Campus 'dream come true'

$275.4 million, 10-storey, 400,000- sq.-ft. campus opens its doors to 4,200 students in the fall of 2023

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 30, 2020
Heidi Riedner

York Region’s first university campus is expected to provide post-secondary opportunities closer to home for thousands of students, establish a diverse talent pool for burgeoning industries in the area and create millions in economic benefits once the $275.4-million, 10-storey, 400,000 sq. ft. campus building opens its doors in the fall of 2023.

“Throughout high school, I often heard talks of a new campus being built and I would have loved for the opportunity to study here as it would have meant I could have studied so close to home,” said Unionville resident and fourth year York University student, Hanaa Ameer, during the official groundbreaking event for York University's Markham Centre Campus Sept. 22.

“My parents often tell my younger sister that this is the campus she will be going to," Ameer continued, regarding the five-acre site currently under construction near the corner of Enterprise Boulevard and Rivas Road. "My sister, who is currently in high school, can't wait to apply here and take classes."

York Region is projected to have the highest growth rate in Ontario in the 18- to 22-year-old population -- increasing by 34 per cent by 2041.

About 60 per cent of current high school graduates in the area seek post-secondary education at a university, with 44 per cent of those gong outside of the GTA to get it. It can cost upwards of $25,000 additional dollars for someone to move away to get that university education over a four-year degree program versus staying at home.

Offering students a university education close to home with work-integrated learning opportunities in their communities will transform post-secondary education not just here in York Region, but throughout GTA, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti said.

“With the high percentage of students that seek that university education, the high percentage of those that have to leave the GTA to get it and take on those extra costs, it truly is incredible to have this facility here,” he said.

Technology and business are the two major themes intertwined in the new degree programs and micro-credentials that will be offered at the campus with a strong focus on digital technologies, entrepreneurship and experiential education in high demand areas, such as business and entrepreneurship, data analytics, new media and communications, York University president and vice-chancellor, Rhonda L. Lenton, said.

Government, public and private partnerships will provide students with work-integrated learning opportunities while they study, as well as local job prospects when they graduate.

“I would love for the opportunity to take classes here and focus on entrepreneurship and innovation,” said Ameer, who plans on continuing her education after completing her degree in health care management.

Ameer -- who served as the president’s ambassador for York University over the past year and is a current member of the president’s advisory council at Markham-Stouffville Hospital -- would be among the 4,200 students in the first phase to have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders at some of Markham’s 1,500 high-tech companies, as well as its renowned institutions and corporations.

The massive campus construction project currently underway will create $350 million of economic benefits and create more than 2,000 jobs, Scarpitti said, adding once the campus is open it will contribute $54 million annually to the province's gross domestic product.

“Eventually, there will be 40,000 people working in this area and another 40,000 people living in this area that is literally a few minutes walk from the Unionville GO station,” Scarpitti said.

By creating new opportunities for higher learning and entrepreneurship in the heart of one of Canada’s fastest-growing regions, the Markham campus will continue York University's long-standing role in building more prosperous, inclusive and resilient communities, said Lenton.

Markham-Unionville MPP Billy Pang, who has advocated for a public university in Markham since 2014, was among the representatives from all levels of government at the groundbreaking.

"This is a very personal project for me," he said. "Today is a dream come true."

The university introduced a comprehensive social procurement policy in January to reflect its values of equity, inclusivity and social justice by ensuring that projects such as the Markham Centre Campus support local economic and social development. It is inviting organizations to register themselves as a diverse vendor or social enterprise to supply goods and services for the construction of the new campus.