Kincardine supports Learning Centre in old Westario Power building
By Liz Dadson

Kincardine Town Council

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The Municipality of Kincardine supports the development of a Community Learning Centre in the old Westario Power building at the south end of Queen Street (Ward 1).

Therefore, it has directed that staff of the Learning Centre move forward with a business plan/operation agreement, obtain corporate sponsors, and get letters of support from participating groups.

Initially, the motion was to have municipal staff gather up those documents, but that didn't sit well with councillor Kenneth Craig during discussion at the Aug. 5 council meeting. "I agree with the concept of a learning centre," he said, "but I'm concerned about the municipal part of the business plan and operational agreement, the corporate sponsors and letters of support from participating groups. Is the municipal staff responsible for this? Is it not the responsibility of the school?"

"It is," said mayor Larry Kraemer. "We're working with their staff to do that, but we have to be involved because it's a municipal building."

He said Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is interested in being involved as a corporate sponsor and a meeting has been set up with representatives of that company.

"If the school wants to be there, it's their responsibility to generate the business plan and corporate sponsors," said Craig.

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11/08/2009 07:58 PM

Chief administrative officer John deRosenroll suggested changing the wording to read that the 'Learning Centre' staff will move forward with the three components of support for the school.

Councillor Randy Roppel said this Learning Centre has signed up with the municipality but there are other learning centres that have popped up since. "With respect to these other post-secondary institutions, how do they survive?" he asked.

"I'm not aware of any others," said Kraemer. "The E-Learn Network is available in other areas of the province as well as here."

By October, council is into budget and business planning for 2010, said deRosenroll. "The Learning Centre needs to get its information together and documents prepared so council can make a decision during budget talks," he said.

"If there are other centres coming to the area, we've basically set a precedent here," said Roppel. "Others could come forward regarding these issues and ask for municipal support at that time."

"Do we have universities working out of the information centre?" asked councillor Marsha Leggett.

"They offer single courses there," said Kraemer. "They're not setting up a Learning Centre. I expect they'll join in with this as we go forward."