News Releases

Nipissing University To Expand and Diversify

Nipissing University has reached a 20-year, six point agreement with the City of Brantford that will see the university’s downtown satellite campus expand and diversify. The total investment for the development is projected at $4 million.

Nipissing has acquired the 20,300 square foot former PUC building at 50 Wellington St., a converted house behind it at 39 Nelson St. and an adjoining parking lot. A $2.4-million post-secondary investment fund has been established by the City to give loans or grants to facilitate the further growth of post-secondary education in the core. Nipissing will receive a $1.5-million interest-free loan from the new fund to help finance the costs of the expansion beyond the university's original building at Market and Darling streets. The City is providing Nipissing with a $600,000 grant, which is funded by the $500,000 previously budgeted for the proposed Brantford Centre project initiated by Laurier-Brantford and Mohawk College that would have used the same properties, and a further $100,000 from the post-secondary fund. The agreement was approved following a presentation that detailed Nipissing’s need for new facilities in order to expand its services for what could become a campus serving 900 students. The projected program enhancements include an expanded concurrent education program with Laurier Brantford, an expanded additional qualification program for existing teachers, aboriginal studies, a Master of Education program and a future Doctoral program. Construction began late summer 2007 by contractors Reid and DeLeye, working from a design by Cianfrone Architects Inc. The project is expected to be completed by September 2008. Nipissing has been offering a concurrent education degree in partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University’s undergraduate degree in Contemporary Studies in Brantford since 2002. The program has been highly successful with enrolment growing from 30 students in the initial year to more than 600 students last year. The Brantford campus also provides Nipissing with a significant presence in southern Ontario, thereby helping to expand the profile of the university and the programs it offers. The roots of Nipissing University extend back to1908's with the North Bay Normal School with a 99 year history in teacher education. Nipissing University College was formed in 1967 as an affiliate of Laurentian University. In 1992, Nipissing University received its charter as an independent University. Today, Nipissing is proud to be a primarily undergraduate university with a reputation for excellence in teacher education, arts, science, business and nursing. Nipissing is committed to playing a positive role in the educational, social, cultural and economic life of Brantford and area.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Maria Cantalini-Williams,Director
Laurier/Nipissing Concurrent BA/BEd Program
E: mariac@nipissingu.ca

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Harmony Square Downtown Brantford..."The Place To Be!"

Construction of Harmony Square is complete. Hundreds of local residents and dignitaries turned out to see the opening of the skating rink in downtown Brantford on December 21, 2007.

Flanked by restaurants, a boutique hotel and various new commercial businesses, Harmony Square is Brantford’s newest attraction for special events. “The ability to attract more people into Downtown Brantford is the key to its success and Harmony Square will be just that attraction,” said Josh Bean, Chair of the Brantford Business Improvement Area (BIA). “It will act as a meeting place and events space for the citizens of Brantford to enjoy the richness of this community in a public, outdoor space. With weekly wellness activities, such as Tai Chi or Yoga, cultural events, fundraising activities, and holiday gatherings – Harmony Square is just what downtown Brantford needs.” Free family skating is offered all winter long, daily from 10 am -10 pm. The warm weather will bring relaxation and fun to the square through music, arts, and entertainment programming. The square can be a place to relax and enjoy a book, have a workplace meeting, a place to bring your family to participate in an activity, a social place to gather with friends, eat lunch & chat…a true place to celebrate Brantford.

Upcoming events include: · Movies in the Square: Thursdays at dusk (July 3, 17, 31 Aug. 14, 28) · Soap Opera “As the Square turns”: Wednesdays through the summer starting July 9th 12:15 pm · Art in the Square 2008 – 2nd Saturday of the Month, 10 am-5 pm (June 14th, July 12th, Aug.9th, Sept.13th) · “Find Your Spirit” Celebration – Downtown Brantford – (June 7th & 8th) · Yoga in the Square: Tuesdays 7:15 am (June, July, August, & September) · Telephone City Car Show – Sunday July 27th · International Jazz Festival – Sat. September 20th · The community is invited to the official Grand Opening celebration themed “Find Your Spirit” – June 7th & 8th, 2008.

For more information, contact:

Lori-Dawn Cavin,Community Events Coordinator
T: 519-756-1500 ext.237
E: lcavin@brantford.ca.

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