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Milton counci renewTown support for satelite campus r saveCiNeergy'i COUPON EVENT P. By Michael Gregory CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF The Town has assured Wilfrid Laurier Univer- sity that a future satellite campus has strong support fromr the commiun ity as the post-sec- ondary school prepares to take its pitch to the provincial government. On Monday, council unanimousiy approvedi the extension of a memorandum of under- standing between the Town and Laurier. The document formally outlines the mutual inter- est in building a 150-acre campus onTremaine Road between Derry and Britannia roads. The agreement was first adopted in 2008, when the two parties began discussing the possibility of a campus with ciassroom views overiooking the escarpment. , Last week the Province issued a request for proposai (RFP) from coileges and universities interested in building satellite campuses. Laurier University President Max Biouw ap- peared before council on Monday to express the university's commitment in seeking the Milton campus through to fulillment. "We've had an opportunity for some time to develop a proposai but we now have a formai process that Premier (Kathleen> Wynne has announced (last week):' BiouW said. "We have a letter of intent that we'll be submitting very quickly. During the 2011 provincial election, the Lib- erals under former premier Dalton McGuinty promised funding for three new satellite cam- puses. The government now says it will fund as many satellites and site expansions as needed to meet the needs of growing post-secondary enroliment. In announcing last week's RFP, the Wynne government outiined its expectations of ap- plicants, including: increased post-secondary spaces in underserved areas, improved quai- ity, innovation and competitiveness, demon- strated cost-effectiveness to both students and taxpayers, and economic growth and in- novation in Ontarios economy. "We've carefully gone through the require- ments:' Blouw said. "Wè feel that we can do an extraordinarily good job not only making a compelling case, but having a compelling case with strong evidence*to back it up!' The Province floated the idea last December that It would be requesting RFPs from pro- spective applicants in the near future.. Blouw had appeared before council that same month and said pending approval, classes at a new Milton campus could begin as early as faîl of 2014. Sfft ofonlng flkoI pusod back yoar Responding to a question from Councilior Cindy Lunau on Mondaythe Laurier president said a soft opening for the campus would like- Iy be pushed back a year because of the Sep- tember deadline for the RFP submission. »What we have always indicated -is that as soon as we have a green light to signal that the provincial government would support this project, we would then begin immedi- ately to plan activity here in the community," Blouw said."«Depending on the decision time- line, a year from September certainly is a pos- sibility.' University classes would be held at the Milton Education Village Innovation Centre prior to the future opening of the Milton Education Village on Tremaine Road - also the site of the new Mattamy National Cycling Centre. Councîllor Mike Cluett said he welcorned news that the process was finally moving for- ward and assured the university president of the Town's backing. "We're here 100 per cent to support it," Cluett said. "We're looking forward to the potential jobi, the investmnent and the growth of a more complete community here in Milton." Michael Gregory con be reached at mgregory@ miltoncanadianchampion.com or on Twitter @ miltonreporter. Are you ready to DO MORE to save money and energy? Save instantly on energy-efficient products including ENERGY STARO LED Iight bulbs, power bars with integrated timer or auto-shutof, and many more. Not only wiII you save money right away, you wiII also save energy throughout the year. Hom Harwe an T Stoes THE COUPON EVENT ENDS- ON SUNDAY APRIL 27TH. For complete details, including the Iist of participating retailers and ta download coupons, visit saveonenergy.ca/coupons Milton Ilydro Subject to additional ternis and conditions found at saveonenergy.ca. Funded by the Ontario Power Auttiority and oftered by Milton Hydro Distribution Imc. A mark of the Province of Ontario protected under Canadien trade-mark iaw. Used under sublicence. 0MOfticl Mark of the Ontaio Power Auttiority. Used under licence. L. .1