The University of Windsor Board of Governors voted Tuesday to move the School of Social Work and the Centre for Executive and Professional Education (CEPE) to the Windsor Star property at the corner of Pitt and Ferry streets in downtown Windsor.
The board approved the purchase of the property after reviewing a feasibility study by CS&P Architects to reimagine the property for the University’s use. UWindsor President Alan Wildeman announced the decision Wednesday during his keynote address at the annual general meeting of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“The purchase of the Windsor Star property is the first step in the University of Windsor’s plan to transform the landscape of our campus to more firmly anchor our commitment to being a student-centred university,” he said. “This acquisition is part of the broader vision to support the priorities identified in our strategic plan with capital projects. Our campus will change dramatically as opportunities are identified and new construction replaces outdated facilities that no longer align with the vision for our institution.”
Some of the other changes identified in the master plan include the need for a centralized welcome centre, a consolidation of student services into one building, a new home for the University Bookstore, reconstructing the south wing of Essex Hall and finalizing plans for an Innovation Centre combined with a new parking structure at the corner of Wyandotte and California.
The potential purchase of the Windsor Star property was first announced on May 30, with the news that the university would relocate its music, visual arts, and film production programs to the Armouries building in downtown Windsor – with the support of the City of Windsor’s capital donation in addition to $10 million in funding, and the provincial government’s contribution of $15 million.
The School of Social Work is comprised of approximately 830 students, faculty and staff who currently work with several agencies downtown. Dr. Wildeman said its relocation will strengthen that cooperation.
“Moving the social work program downtown presents an opportunity to significantly broaden the bandwidth between important academic programming and the needs of our community,” he said.
He also noted the central location of the Windsor Star building between St. Clair College’s Centre for the Arts and its Mediaplex building as an opportunity to create synergies between the two institutions.
The CEPE is already located downtown at 245 Ouellette Avenue, servicing individuals and organizations with degree programs and professional development workshops. Consolidating this centre with the School of Social Work will allow for a greater number of shared services and facilities to enhance the students’ experience.
Architectural designs for the new social work and CEPE facility, and the Armouries and will be released in the months to come.
The University of Windsor Board of Governors voted Tuesday to move the School of Social Work and the Centre for Executive and Professional Education (CEPE) to the Windsor Star property at the corner of Pitt and Ferry streets in downtown Windsor.