University missed out on all benefits of coming north

Aurora Banner (opinion)
April 30, 2014

Just the fact York University is considering expanding into the region is good news for all municipalities, no matter which one actually secures the facility.

That’s the politically correct message that came from the Newmarket/Aurora and East Gwillimbury camps immediately following their elimination from the bidding process.

Here’s the politically incorrect message they likely had to choke down:

Are you serious?

There’s a sense of disappointment and shock that neither of the northern bids were deemed good enough to advance.

This, in no way, downplays the three municipalities — Vaughan, Richmond Hill and Markham — still hoping to win the contest.

Their bids were obviously strong and offered what the university was seeking.

But what was the university seeking?

Make no mistake, it has every right to establish its own set of criteria.

It can decide too much greenspace is detrimental to the education of our youth and that rivers and trees stunt the learning process, so, therefore, an urban setting is considered better.

It’s obvious there was a south end bias, but don’t take the word “bias” as a negative.

It appears the south’s more established transit system was an important factor in the university consideration process.

It’s hard to dispute that.

There are far more people taking transit and there’s also the important subway expansion in the south.

But York University is missing out on an amazing opportunity by eliminating both northern bids so early in the process.

There is major growth planned for Newmarket, Aurora and East Gwillimbury, which will lead to greater transit use and service.

Instead of getting buried in an already congested location, why not be a forward-thinker and lead that growth?

Again, the three remaining proposals are all worthy of winning the bid, but even the university indicated there was little to differentiate one from the other.

The Newmarket/Aurora and East Gwillimbury bids had something different to offer.

Unfortunately, it appears the university wasn’t looking for different.

BOTTOM LINE: York University wasn’t looking for benefits offered in north bids.