Connecting to a world of opportunities

For a number of years now Nipissing has had outstanding scores with the McLean’s Magazine’s yearly rankings and the Globe and Mail’s annual University Report Card except for the library but on Friday a dream of a new state of the art facility took one step closer to reality.

Officials from both Canadore College and Nipissing University were all smiles Friday as they gathered in the Nipissing Theatre to introduce the campaign cabinet to launch the Learning Library Capital Campaign.

With an 18-million dollar shot in the arm from province plus a commitment of 1-million dollars from the Nipissing and Canadore Students the project has collected more than half the money needed to change a dream into reality. The campaign also received $400,000 from Nipissing and Canadore Families, $200,000 from Ted Thomson and Assante, $150,000 from the TD Bank and $125,000 from the Rotary Club, leaving the cabinet with about 7-million dollars to raise.

“We have $2.8 million in commitments to date and we have good prospects, so we have about 40 percent of the $7 million so far,” explains Campaign Co-chair David Liddle.

“We have assembled a great team of volunteers.”

“Over the next year I am confident we will come up with the balance over the next year,” he adds.

“This is exciting and we are thrilled,” states NUSU Vice President Ian Wassink.

“There was no question of if we needed a library; the question was when it should be built … the time is now.”

Wassink says the students see the collaborative project as a good thing and are completely committed to doing their part.

“The students will see an increase in their incidental fees … about $20 for full time students and in a decade our commitment will be paid off,” he explains.

“This is 50-50 support from both (schools) and it is a good thing.”

The innovative 25-million dollar project promises to allow both institutions to compete with the larger colleges and universities in the province.

“The Library has been top priority since I got here,” explains Nipissing University President Dennis Mock.

“The new library gives us a facility where our students can say yes they’ve (Nipissing) got it all.”

Mock was quick to thank everyone who has supported the endeavour to date especially Nipissing MPP Monique Smith as she mastered the art of getting the ears of the provincial government to hear the pleas of Nipissing and Canadore.

Mock is also certain that the project would not have been possible if Nipissing had made the pitch alone without partner Canadore College.

“We have a unique partnership and that is recognised by government. We are making a pathway for students to go back and forth with ease.”

“And we are proud of it,” says Mock.

Canadore President Barb Taylor agrees that the whole project is based on partnership.

“It is an expression of faith,” Taylor says of the government’s $18-million commitment.

“I believe that we (Canadore and Nipissing) really do set the gold standard, and that is part of us being able to get the money at all.”

She says the new library will offer more and better space for students to learn in. She points out that the new facility is more than just a place to access information but that students also grow from social interaction that the new space will offer.

“Canadore is 40 years old now,” she tells the audience.

“Over the next 40 years we are going to rise to heights we haven’t thought of.”