King nixes idea to court York University to expand in the township

King Connection
April 16, 2014
By Tim Kelly

While it supports a York University campus in York Region, King Township will not put in a bid to persuade it to locate here.

That was the official resolution passed at council Monday night on the request of Township staff.

The decision was based mainly on the grounds that King Township already has a relationship with Seneca College on 500 acres, 100 of which are developable in King City, with a planned expansion of the college that could be on the order of a $130-million investment.

The staff report states that any university proposal could conceivably include the existing King Campus.

“Should that occur, King Township would likely enjoy the additional economic benefits associated with being identified not only with a college, but also with a university,” the report stated.

Staff recommended that the Township support any Northern 6 bid for a “York in York” initiative to bring the university to the region.

Newmarket/Aurora is preparing a joint bid and King Township will offer its support to its Northern 6 neighbours, Mayor Steve Pellegrini said.

The mayor noted that a new university could provide up to a $1.3-billion economic boost to the region.