Recent stories in our local media have described the exciting proposal put forward to York University and Seneca College to locate a satellite campus in York Region. Newmarket/Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Markham all had strong submissions that each would offer all manner of benefits to York Region. On Friday, April 24 they short listed the possible sites to include: Richmond Hill, Vaughan, and Markham.
The fact that these proposals advanced is proof of the increasing urbanization of York Region, especially in its emerging centres in Newmarket, Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan. This increasing urbanization is good news in so many ways, including for young people who would like the option to attend post-secondary school closer to home.
VivaNext is a key part of bringing that urbanization to life. By extending rapid transit routes into these key areas, a potential new university or college campus would more easily be able to attract faculty and staff as well as new students. Having rapid transit on its doorstep is just one of the many reasons why these campus bids are so strong.
The long-term vision for York Region is to give people more choices, whether it’s where they live, work, shop or dine out – or go to school. We’re seeing that vision come to life, block by block, with new developments taking shape all along the rapid transit routes and in the new centres. And each new development, whether it’s residential, employment or retail, attracts even more economic growth. The new centres are already becoming increasingly important destinations, just as York Region had planned.
VivaNext is proud to be a key part of these plans. We’ll look forward to hearing the news later this spring where the future home of a college or university campus will be located. And then, it will be our great pleasure to get those students and their teachers to class on time!