Georgian College's planned expansion in downtown Barrie comes with a price tag for taxpayers.
In a presentation to the finance and responsible governance committee on Wednesday, Georgian College President and CEO Kevin Weaver told councillors that the school is seeking an investment of $7.5 million over 10 years from the city.
"City investment and partnership are absolutely indispensable to the realization of this vision. Without investment, this transformative project simply cannot proceed," Georgian said in its report to the committee.
Last June, the college announced plans for a hub of creative programming at 55 Mulcaster Street, across from City Hall.
At 82,000 square feet over three floors, courses offered at the hub would include design, visual arts and digital technology.
Weaver said the facility will open in the fall of 2026 with 500 students coming from the school's main campus on Georgian Drive, and a gradual ramp-up that will eventually see 1,000 students.
The project will cost $32 million, with additional funding anticipated from private fundraising ($10 million) and strategic investment ($14.5 million).
"In building this centre within the heart of arts and culture in Barrie, we will drive program enrolement and expand our partnership and impact within the downtown community and throughout our catchment," according to the report.
Georgian says the benefits of the Mulcaster location include increased foot traffic for downtown businesses, partnerships, vibrancy, and a "deepened" community.
The report quotes Craig Stevens, executive director of the Downtown Barrie BIA, who says, "the plan is a powerful investment in Barrie's future, and positions downtown Barrie in a partnership with Georgian College, as a hub of innovation, creativity and growth."
When Georgian first announced its downtown proposal last year, Mayor Alex Nuttall called it "city-making."
"I cannot for a second overstate how important Georgian College's movement to our downtown is," he said at the time.
Georgian already has a presence downtown with a Design and Digital Arts Centre on Ross Street.
Weaver said there are about 150 students at that location.
At Wednesday's meeting, Nuttall continued to champion Georgian's proposed growth downtown, noting other positives for the city core, including a Lakehead University satellite campus at the old bus terminal on Maple Ave and moving a performing arts centre downtown.
"There is a lot of really positive things happening in our downtown. If we were going through a tough time financially, I would hope that the other public sector institutions would be there to support us as well," he added.
Around the table, councillors seemed eager about the project.
"I think it's really realistic for us to manage that funding level," said Coun. Anne-Marie Kungel.
There was no decision by councillors on the funding request from Georgian.
