Toby Shannan, a local resident and entrepreneur has been leading the charge to save Algonquin College’s Perth Campus for over a year.
His vision is to transform it into a private not-for-profit educational facility focusing on building trades. He also wishes to expand its offerings to include university-accredited programs.
Algonquin’s Board of Directors voted to close the campus next year and the property is currently listed for sale. Toby doesn’t think the property would be of much value to anyone except as a trades school.
He has been meeting with Provincial government ministers and representatives to make his case and has received support from everyone along the way. But he notes there’s a challenge in trying to get their focus on Perth and the needs of area students.
He noted that one challenge the campus always had was the lack of student housing and he has a viable solution.
To find out how to add your voice to help save the college, go to SavePerthCollege.ca
Story by Brian Turner
