Canadore's Village project becomes reality today

Canadore’s latest state-of-the-art facility, called “The Village” was officially opened to the public today.  

The multi-million dollar facility is one of a kind. It's at the north end of the main campus on College Drive in North Bay and is focused on collaborative interprofessional education and the integration of Indigenous, Eastern and Western healing and wellness practices. The Village will integrate seniors’ and community care with teaching, experiential skills training and applied research in one facility.

This is phase one of a three-part project. The price tag for the new building’s construction and technology is earmarked at $20 million. The federal and provincial governments have kicked in funding, while the fundraising campaign has raised $2.7 million.

The school and its Village Cabinet fundraising group are still looking to find another $2.3 million.  

“We are well on our way to getting that, I don’t lose any sleep at night worrying about that,” said George Burton, Canadore College President.   

“We are losing sleep looking at phase two to get the shovel ready as quickly as we can but the reality is we will need to raise that $2.3 million and the team is working really hard at it.”

Burton says the spin-off from the new 38,000 sq. ft. facility could also be very good for the North Bay economy.  

“We have had inquiries from across Canada and south of the border about what we are doing here and we have had several visits and those visits have been very fruitful looking at our approach to health and wellness care and related industries that would really like to be part of what we are doing,” said Burton.  

“So we are at various stages of discussions with them. I am hoping if the stars line up we will be able to announce some really neat initiatives with the private sector here in the city and in the region again related to health and wellness.”  

The Village will include Canadore’s Schools of Indigenous Studies, Health, Human Care and Wellness, and Sport and Recreation, which will offer a comprehensive suite of student-run clinics, including general health, Eastern medicine, dental hygiene, and safe mobility.

Other labs include cognitive stimulation and early childhood education on-site, as well as specialized Indigenous classrooms and ceremonial areas.

Sara Duquette is an Indigenous student from North Bay and is the Vice-President of Student Life on the Canadore College Student’s Council.  She believes the Village is revolutionary.  

“This is the first post-secondary institution to all realms of human care,” said Duquette.

“I feel we will get more international students coming, which will be really awesome. We already have a good base of international students but I think that will grow as well."  

Nursing and respiratory therapist students have been learning in The Village since September. As of January, a total of 1,000 students will move into the space.

Phase Two of The Village, the seniors’ living facility, is anticipated to break ground in April next year.