Dysart et al mayor Murray Fearrey hopes the addition of a new student residence at the Haliburton School of Art + Design will lead to expanded programming at the local college.
Fearrey was one of several invited guests at a groundbreaking ceremony for the residence Dec. 15. The $16 million project was described as game changing by the mayor, with two, three-storey buildings containing 47 units to be added to HSAD’s footprint within Glebe Park.
“This is a great opportunity – it’s a project that’s bringing much-needed housing to our community. It’s going to take some pressure off students who want to come here and study, and it’s going to help people who need regular rentals in our town, not having so many students competing for space.
“I think this is going to make a big difference to a lot of people. A really important project for this community – it’s fantastic,” he added.
The mayor said having a dedicated space for students should help make HSAD even more of a destination for those with an interest in the arts.
“Before, when parents brought their kids up here and saw there wasn’t a good place for them to stay that’s safe, I think sometimes they turned around and went home, and checked Haliburton off the list,” Fearrey said. “I think they’ll stay now.”
Fearrey has long advocated for enhanced programming at the campus, believing it could become a hub for the skilled trades. He said he’ll continue with that push.
Drew Van Parys, executive vice president of corporate services and marketing at Fleming, said things remain on track for a 2024 completion. Student intake will begin at the residence in January 2025, he said.
Will help with village housing
“This is a revolutionary project for this campus and an important contribution to the housing issues that affect Haliburton. Forty-seven beds might not sound like a huge amount in an urban context, but in Haliburton it’s very significant and such an important addition to the [community’s] housing inventory,” Van Parys said.
While the residence will primarily house students, there will also be space for visitors attending conferences and artsrelated workshops in the area.
“We know students love it here when they get here. Housing has always been a barrier – we look forward to that no longer being an issue,” he added.
Fleming College president Maureen Adamson noted the project is a long-time coming. Initial discussions between college, provincial and community officials began in the early 2000s, but it wasn’t until 2018 that it started to take shape.
Adamson reserved praise for former Dysart mayor Andrea Roberts and the previous term of council for agreeing to partner with Fleming. The township has donated 3.7 acres of land to facilitate the build.
“This is a project that secures our future [in Haliburton],” Adamson said.
Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott and Jill Dunlop, minister of colleges and universities, were also in attendance. Scott said the project is “an amazing collaboration” between Fleming and Dysart that addresses one of the community’s greatest needs.
Dunlop said the provincial government has been leading roundtable discussions with communities since November to identify key priorities, with student housing a recurring theme.
“We’ve heard loud and clear that housing is a growing issue of concern… when students move away to begin their studies, it’s critical they have a living situation where they feel safe and comfortable. It can make all the difference in their academic success and overall student experience,” Dunlop said. “Congratulations to Fleming College for this exciting new milestone, and congratulations to the community of Haliburton.
