Council approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Municipality of North Grenville and the Kemptville Campus. The MOU sets out the expectations of the Municipality and the Campus Board in relation to matters such as governance, administration, financial responsibility, maintenance, and strategic goals and deliverables.

In 2020, the Municipality engaged StrategyCorp to conduct a strategic review regarding the objectives of the Campus as a municipal asset - and to recommend a robust governance model so that Kemptville Campus can deliver on its mandate.

The Municipality has been working with the Campus Board, members of which have been appointed throughout 2021, and particularly Campus Board Chair Karen Cooper and the new Executive Director Liz Sutherland to establish the MOU.

“Council is pleased that we now have a way forward to bolster the growth of the Kemptville Campus,” highlighted Mayor Nancy Peckford.

“We have already retained sought-after apprenticeship programs for secondary students back to the Campus. This is only the beginning. We look forward to working with the Campus board and staff on future initiatives,” added Mayor Peckford.

This is the final piece of the puzzle in establishing the formal relationship between the Campus and the Municipality. With the new Executive Director, Board Chair and Board Members, the Campus is on its way to becoming a self-sustaining organization.

“Our volunteer board of directors, supported by a small staff team, has worked diligently with our partners at the Municipality to bring the Campus to this point,” noted Campus Board Chair Karen Cooper. “Community members might be surprised to learn that the Campus is already humming with activity at 70 percent occupancy and new tenants moving in every few months. The MOU gives us the framework we need to realize the vision in our exciting Master Plan.”

The Campus’ new Executive Director, Liz Sutherland, added, “We are thrilled to be turning the former College campus into a thriving community hub under the pillars of education & training, health & wellness, and economic development – all with a sustainability lens. We can’t wait to engage more local people as service and recreation users, students, staff, volunteers, and Campus champions to make the most of this remarkable community asset.”  

Background

The Municipality of North Grenville purchased the Campus from the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO) in 2018, following the announcement by the University of Guelph of the closure of Kemptville College. 

Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre is an educational and multi-use facility serving the community of North Grenville and the surrounding area. The Campus includes 630 acres and 17 main buildings, as well as woodlands, cropland, wetland, greenspace, greenhouses, an agroforestry centre and maple bush, trails, and other buildings – sports facilities, residence, and catering facilities.

The Kemptville Campus Master Plan was completed in 2021 with significant community input.

For more information contact: