Wilfrid Laurier University - Facilities Planning Update - Town of Milton

The Corporation of the
TOWN OF MILTON
Report to: Mayor G.A. Krantz and Members of Council
From: Jennifer Reynolds, Director, Community Services
Date: October 27, 2008
Report No. COMS-044-08
Subject: Wilfrid Laurier University – Facilities Planning Update
RECOMMENDATION: THAT staff be directed to continue discussions with
representatives of Wilfrid Laurier University regarding the
potential for shared community/university facilities
development.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff has had several meetings with representatives of the planning committee that has
been established to consider the development of a Laurier University campus in Milton.
The purpose of this report is to seek Council endorsement to continue dialogue
regarding joint facility planning opportunities.
REPORT
Background
The announcement of the Wilfrid Laurier project was made to Council on March 31,
2008. Discussions between Town representatives and Wilfrid Laurier executives have
been ongoing since that time. Several Committees have been formed to further the
joint planning imitative and to assist WLU in preparing for required submissions to the
Province of Ontario. Community Services staff noted the potential to consider joint
development of facilities that could serve community and university needs. These
suggestions centred on the Town plans for the Arts & Entertainment Centre, Central
Library, and the potential impact on enhanced sport facilities associated with the
GTA/Greater Golden Horseshoe bid for the 2015 Pan American Games, or in relation to
university and community planned sport and recreation facilities.
In response to these suggestions, the office of Max Blouw, WLU President and Vice
Chancellor, contacted the Town and asked for a meeting to discuss potential
partnership with the Town in areas related to the Arts and Entertainment Centre, Central
Library and Sports and Recreation infrastructure projects vis-à-vis the development of
the University.

Discussion
The Corporation of the
TOWN OF MILTON
Council Report No.COMS-044-08
Page No. 2
In late August, upon a meeting invitation from the University, staff (Director of
Community Services and Senior Manager Recreation Services) as well as the Chief
Librarian, attended a meeting with Mr. Blouw, which was also attended by the Vice-
President, Finance and Administration, the Manager of Special Projects, the Dean of
Music and the Dean of Students. This exploratory meeting was held to see if there is
any possible convergence worth exploring in the development of the University
Campus, municipal services, and the library. The potential for successful partnering is
great, since the infrastructure time-lines for the Town and for the University are much in
line. A subsequent meeting was held on September 15 th , 2008.
President Blouw began the meeting by noting his interest in working with the Town and
the Library in the development of any joint infrastructure partnerships in which interests
are aligned – specifically the library, the theatre, and recreation and sports facilities. He
advised that he had worked on joint partnerships with the University of Northern British
Columbia. He is eager to work jointly, noting that by working together, we could all end
up with something bigger and better than if we work separately.
He would like to see partnership in the area of the arts, the library and athletics to
encourage community engagement.
It is important to note that to date, no partnership exploration can be identified as
anything more than exploratory, since the University has not yet received a funding goahead.
Beyond that, more planning and investigation must take place before any
partnering can be considered as anything more than an expression of interest.
If the Campus is able to move ahead, it is difficult to predict what impact it may have on
current planning profiles related to the Central Library, the planned Arts and
Entertainment Centre and sport and recreation facilities. However, staff believes it is in
the Town’s and in Milton’s best interest to explore partnership opportunities related to
Wilfrid Laurier University. Even if the project(s) end up suggesting a divergence from
previously accepted decisions, it is prudent to fully explore this opportunity. Certainly it
fits with the goals expressed by Destiny Milton 2 and the Community Services and
Library Master Plan.
Pending approval, staff will engage our community partners that have previously been
involved in the development of current approved plans related to facilities (Arts Milton,
community sport and recreation organizations), and to discuss opportunities for future
partnership development with Wilfrid Laurier.

The Corporation of the
TOWN OF MILTON
Relationship to the Strategic Plan
Council Report No.COMS-044-08
Page No. 3
Goal – A safe, liveable and healthy community
Direction – Enhance leisure, cultural and educational opportunities/experiences that
contribute to personal enjoyment, growth and development
Direction – Encourage the consolidation of community and recreational uses, such as
schools cultural facilities, libraries, day nurseries and recreational facilities where possible
Goal – A diverse and sustainable economy
Direction – Support a post-secondary educational presence in the Town
Financial Impact
There is no financial impact directly associated with this report.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Reynolds
Director, Community Services
If you have any questions on the content of this report: Jennifer Reynolds, 905 878 7252 x2180
Attachments: none
CAO Approval: _________________________