NOVEMBER 26, 1999
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THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA NOVEMBER 26, 1999 |
| Residents of the Saanich Peninsula will be the beneficiaries of an agreement signed Nov. 12 by the University of Victoria and the district of North Saanich.
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two public entities was signed at a ceremony at the university’s Dunsmuir Lodge educational conference and training centre by UVic President Dr. David Strong and North Saanich acting mayor and councillor Ron Townshend. The agreement recognizes the significant educational and economic role that the university plays on the peninsula and identifies areas where the district and UVic will work together for the benefit of the local community. It is the result of a year’s worth of discussions initiated when the university brought forward a proposal to expand accommodation and teaching space at Dunsmuir in the fall of 1998. The MOU, however, goes far beyond both the lodge and North Saanich to address the university’s operations and programs on the entire peninsula. According to Strong, the MOU provides a “nudge and a boost to UVic doing more with the municipality, the people and the businesses in the area.” Townshend called it “a starting point for the community and university.” He described Dunsmuir Lodge as “a treasure” and said that the community and university will “grow closer” as a result of the agreement. The MOU establishes a five-person District of North Saanich/University of Victoria liaison committee made up of two North Saanich councillors, two university representatives and a fifth member appointed by the committee. The committee will look at a range of matters, including: what the university can do to offer more publicly accessible courses and cultural activities at Dunsmuir and other venues in the area; make additional contributions to the quality of life and economic development on the peninsula; explore a joint-use agreement with the Peninsula Recreation Commission; make the Dunsmuir facilities available to local cultural and non-profit groups; and provide additional scholarship opportunities to North Saanich residents and more support for local businesses. UVic currently owns and operates two properties in North Saanich — Dunsmuir Lodge on the slopes of Mt. Newton and the Marine Technology Centre on West Saanich Road. Dunsmuir opened as a UVic facility in 1987. In addition to courses, workshops and institutes, executive training, international conferences, retreats, and training and orientation programs, Dunsmuir also hosts the university’s popular “UVic on the Peninsula” community education programs. It purchases goods and services from more than 80 Peninsula businesses and provides jobs to approximately 70 employees. In August, the university received approval to add an executive-training style classroom to Dunsmuir, improve lighting and seating for its breakout rooms and modify its information technology system. Construction is expected to be complete by Sept. 2000. UVic operates the Marine Technology Centre as a research park, using labs and research space for collaborative projects with the Institute of Ocean Sciences, and renting space to local high-tech research, development and environmentally-based companies. |