Deal between government and community colleges could save Kemptville campus

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

by MATT MCINTOSH

The University of Guelph’s Kemptville campus might not have to close its doors if a deal between the provincial government, Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology, and St. Lawrence College can be hammered out.

Such a deal would rely on some kind of government investment, and follow the path taken by La Cité and Collége Boréal, who have already brokered a temporary deal to keep University of Guelph’s Alfred Campus open.

Eleanor Renaud, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s director for Leeds, Grenville, Frontenac, and Dundas County, says representatives from the Algonquin and St Lawrence colleges spoke with Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville, on March 21 to discuss what might be done to save Kemptville.

In an email statement to Better Farming earlier today, Brad Duguid, minister of Training, Colleges, and Universities, also confirmed the two colleges have expressed interest in helping to keep the Kemptville campus open.

Duguid did not provide details of a deal in his statement. But he did say the government is “working quickly to try to ensure that classes can be offered for the September 2014 cohort.”

Renaud says an important step towards saving Kemptville came last week when the community collaborated with the province and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture to create the Kemptville College Renewal Task Force, the group in charge of finding a solution for the campus.

Regardless of the direction the committee takes, however, Renaud says she thinks the provincial government has to play a key role.

“The government will definitely have to throw some money in if Kemptville is going to continue operating, she says.

“If they want to increase the value and number of jobs in agriculture, they will have to invest in training. Agriculture is a high-tech business now and you need trained people to fill those positions.”

Renaud also says that no one expects Kemptville to be the same as it was before the university announced its intent to close the campus, and the Alfred campus, on March 12. Everything from what buildings will continue operating, what programs the campus will run, and the number of school employees will have to be considered under the framework of whatever deal the committee finds.

Renaud does say, however, that coming changes could prove beneficial to the school and the community of eastern Ontario, since those running Kemptville might have more interest in the school’s success. BF