The Sydenham Campus on 8th Street East in Owen Sound. (Matt Hermiz/Bayshore Broadcasting)
Grey County’s planned regional hub in Owen Sound for skills building and innovation has cleared another hurdle.
Owen Sound city council granted site plan approval and a zoning by-law amendment at its meeting Monday to the Sydenham Campus Innovation Centre located next to Georgian College on 8th Street East, endorsing the county’s plan to re-purpose the building.
The Sydenham Campus Innovation Centre is located in the former Sydenham Community School. Grey County purchased the 45,000 square-foot school and 10 acres of property from the Bluewater District School Board for $500,000 in 2018.
Sydenham Community School closed permanently at the end of the 2016-17 school year.
“When the school was vacated a few years back we all sat around wondering what the heck could happen up there,” Coun. Richard Thomas said. “I think this is the best possible use.”
A report by Sabine Robart from Owen Sound’s planning department explains the Sydenham Campus Innovation Centre is expected to include research and prototyping, business incubation and skilled trades training.
Proposed users of the facility will include the Small Businesses Enterprise Centre, Catapult Grey Bruce and Community Futures Development Corporation. In future, it may also include “hot desks” to allow short-term internet access and office space, fabrication labs, postsecondary training from Georgian College and daycare facilities.