Today is the official start of a dream come true for Georgian College.
A sod turning ceremony was held at the site of the new permanent college campus in Collingwood.
The 10 acres of land at Poplar Sideroad and Raglan Street, valued at 3 million dollars has been donated by developer John Di Poce.
The two storey, 20 thousand square foot campus will accomodate 250 full time and more than three thousand part time students.
Georgian College President and CEO Brian Tamblyn says this dream has been 26 years in the making.
He says the 9.6 million dollar total price tag has been offset by the donation of the land and 4 million dollars from the Federal government.
Tamblyn says he’s confident the remaining 2.6 million can be fundraised and some put in by the college so the doors will open in September of 2011.
He says some prep work has already been done on the site and construction is expected to start this summer.
Tamblyn says he doesn’t know just how many teachers and staff will be hired, but courses offered will include business, health sciences and continuing education.