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May 2012

This agreement was created to prove support from local businesses and non-profit organizations for the future development of a Downtown CommunityCampus that will integrate education and community activities in a sharedcentralized facility. Supporting Community Partners were invited to like ourDCC Facebook page to help promote interest in this initiative. No financialcommitment was required and, to date, numerous endorsements have beenreceived for this community-driven initiative that will drive healthy communityeconomic development.

Downtown

Community

Campus

Supporting Community Partner Agreement

On April 17 at the DowntownImprovement Association AGM BillLaird, Chair of the DCC Committee, putan end to speculation when heannounced that the JL Jackson sitewas the preferred site for the futuredowntown community campus that isenvisaged to transform the existingdowntown core into a vibrant hub ofcultural, educational, recreational andcommercial activity. A draft site layout,prepared by Bernd Hermanski,outlining two-storey campus buildings,underground parking, student housingabove retail /commercial outlets; anentertainment centre utilized for manylocal theatrical and cultural events andalso used as a lecture theatre for thecollege; bike and pedestrian corridorsto promote a walkable neighborhood toretain the ambiance of a small

community and; an underpass beneath the TransCanada Highway to connectthe campus to the rest of downtown, was presented and well received.

It was emphasized that although this location meets the DCC site criteria (i.e.proximity to downtown core and size) it is currently owned by the SchoolDistrict. Initial discussions with the local School Board of Trustees were held butno decisions as to availability of this site, for lease or ownership, have beenmade at this time.

Proposed College Site Unveiled

DCC Newsletter

DCC PROJECT CONTINUES TO MOVE FORWARD

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Page 2 DCC Newsletter

Downtown Community Campus Project hosts Sustainability

Information Session May 1

The Downtown Community Campus (DCC) project hosted a Sustainability

Information Session on May 1 at Okanagan College. A large number ofattendees learned about the economic and environmental benefits ofsustainable buildings and community. Architect Douglas MacLeod and Engineer

Trevor Butler from OkanaganCollege presented a new approachto design and construction in whichour buildings and communities areregenerative. Kyle DearingSustainable CommunityDevelopment Consultant discussedthe environmental benefits of greenroofs and green walls and Conrad

Wilkins, President Artisan IndustriesInc explained the interconnectivity increating sustainable communities.The potential for linking these

building techniques to an agriculturally focused downtown community campusprovides an exciting opportunity to create a distinctive reputation for OkanaganCollege Campus in Salmon Arm.

Proposed Flagship Program - Agriculture

In the Shuswap, as elsewhere in Canada, there is a growing concern about the

future provision of food, (food sustainability); loss of farms and farmers (foodsecurity); as well as the threat of climate change. To ensure future of agricultureindustry (the average age of a farmer in Canada is 57 years old) there is acritical need for professional and practical trained workers and specifically aneed for qualified farm managers and middle management for both organic andtraditional farming. Our region boasts a very diverse agriculture sector withindependent farm operators as well as hobby farms both require education.Focus group meetings with local agrologists further identified key coursesrequired to meet current and future industry demands. Subsequently, interesthas been expressed for Okanagan College to partner with the University of theFraser Valley to deliver components of their Agriculture Certificate, Diploma andDegree programs. Two new programs livestock and horticulture are

anticipated to start in the fall of 2012 with the intent to gauge viability and then, iffavourable, to expand. Possible developments include a green roof and greenwall to provide practical living classroom opportunities to showcase indigenousplants, grow herbs, flowers and vegetables and long term plans include a farmschool where students can learn the practicalities of farming. This is thegenesis of a flagship agriculture program for the Salmon Arm campus ofOkanagan College.

Communities

have to make a

conscious choice

if they want to

be successful or

not.

Communities

have to

determine what

it is that they can

and must do to

be successful.

Communities

have to believe

they can be

successful, and

that their plan

will make them

successful, and

they must then

follow through

on that plan.

~13 Ways to Kill

Your

Community ~

Doug Griffiths

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Partnerships with other educational institutions is a key strategy wherebyOkanagan College will offer niche courses to address program gaps, as well as

deliver first and second year courses to feed into existing degree programs.The regional DCC Survey conducted in the Spring of 2011 stressed the need todevelop post secondary programs that build on existing regional strengths andaddress local industry needs in the Shuswap. In fact education was seen as thepathway to a better future and intrinsic to healthy community growth. Threemajor program areas were identified:

Applied Arts (performing and visual),

Health ( diagnostic technicians, ambulance and emergency services skilledworkers).

Agriculture.

Focus group meetings with each sector identified a need for more advancedknowledge and skill development to equip lifelong learners including careerenhancers, career changers and high school graduates.

By re-locating the Okanagan College in the downtown core Salmon Arm willfollow in the footsteps of many Canadian cities that have already successfullydeveloped a downtown campus and enjoyed the economic benefits includingattraction of new investments, long term local stability, a marketing advantage

for the community to prospective employers and increased opportunities forarea workforce to seek education locally.

An Impact Analysis Study, conducted by Vann Struth Consulting Group Inc.,outlined the direct, indirect and induced economic impact for the ShuswapRegion as a result of a downtown community campus. This included studentspending; Okanagan College direct and indirect expenditures through increasedfaculty/ staff; and downtown revitalization as a result of event activity at thecampus and consequent increased foot traffic. This Impact Analysis does notcapture expenditures related to construction, student housing and tourismthrough visiting family and friends. These projections will be captured as theproject evolves. However, a conservative projection of the economic impact is$3.5million for the first year increasing incrementally each year.

Other Program Focus

Economic Benefit of Downtown Community Campus

$3.5 Million

Page 3 DCC Newsletter

Education seen

as the pathway

to a better

future and

intrinsic to

healthy

community

growth

Economic

Impact for

Shuswap in

Year One

$3.5 Million

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DCC NewsletterPage 4

Downtown

Community

Campus

For more information contact the Salmon ArmFor more information contact the Salmon ArmFor more information contact the Salmon Arm

Economic Development SocietyEconomic Development SocietyEconomic Development Society

at 250at 250at 250---833833833---060806080608

or email Margaret Hardy, DCC Coordinator,or email Margaret Hardy, DCC Coordinator,or email Margaret Hardy, DCC Coordinator,

atatat dcc@saeds.cadcc@saeds.cadcc@saeds.ca

www.dccsalmonarm.cawww.dccsalmonarm.cawww.dccsalmonarm.ca

mailto:dcc@saeds.camailto:dcc@saeds.camailto:dcc@saeds.camailto:dcc@saeds.cahttp://www.dccsalmonarm.ca/http://www.dccsalmonarm.ca/http://www.dccsalmonarm.ca/http://www.dccsalmonarm.ca/http://www.facebook.com/dccsalmonarmhttp://www.dccsalmonarm.ca/mailto:dcc@saeds.ca