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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1994-11-23, Page 17Frenchman's Inn Restaurant Everyday 5 to 6:30 p.m. Dinner starting at $16.95 235-2008 Second section - November 23 1994 Centralia College does international January 1995 will mark the first intake of students from Canada and around the world By Catherine O'Brien T -A staff HURON PARK - The name may sound familiar, but the concept is certainly new as many will find out in January 1995 when Centralia In- temational College opens its doors to students from around the world. The reopening of the college will mark another transformation for the facility which will primarily be used to teach technical and busi- ness programs in addition to Eng- lish as a second language. Juergen Williamson-Persh, a rep- resentative of the new college said there is a great demand by foreign students for such programs. Similar courses are taught at sis- ter facilities being: Park Business College, St. Catharines Business College and Shaw Business Col- lege, all of which have been oper- Juergen Wllllamson-Persh, a representative with Centralia Inter- national College sits in one of the newly set up computer classes at the col- lege. While English as a second lan- guage is one of the primary focuses of the college, a num- ber of business and technology courses will also be offered. Exeter TOOL & RENTAL SALES AND SERVICE OF POWERT001S AND WOODWORKING EQUIPMENT KING WO 000 `WORKING TOOLS 16" VARIABLE SPEED SCROLL SAW $22900 6" JOINTER 843900 10" TABLE SAW (heavy duty) 2 h.p. with T-square fence $79900 MILWAUKEE 12 VOLT CORDLESS DRILL KIT 82800 FREUD ROUTER BITS 20% o r GALT WOOD TOOL SAW BLADES 20% oFF Wide selection of woodcrafting supplies 578 MAIN ST. S. EXETER 235-4441 ating for more than 90 years. But these centres lacked much needed residence facilities. That was one of the key selling points when the Centralia facilities were considered, - "We were looking for a campus that could accommodate foreign students and future growth," Wil- liamson-Persh said. The vacant facilities in Huron Park seemed perfect. It was just over a year and a half ago that the provincial government announced the closure of Centralia College which was established in 1967. The months that followed were filled with rallies and court appeals in an attempt to keep the college open. While some research programs were saved, college officials began winding down services getting ready for the eventual closure this spring. At that point the Ontario De- velopment Corporation and several partners, such as the Huron County Board of Education began ex- ploring the possibility of leasing the college buildings. They were optimistic that the fa- cility would open again given the recent renovations that had hecn completed. For quite some time the rumor was that a flight training school would be setting up shop, which seemed the perfect venture given the fact that the facility had begin used as a Canadian Forces base. Shortly after negotiations for that venture fell through, it was an- nounced that an international ed- ucation centre would be calling Centralia its new home. Since announcing the start of the new college, representatives have been busy setting up for programs. English as a second language will. be the main course offered, in addi- tion to programs in writing, busi- ness administration, restuarant and food. computer, travel and tourism. The courses are structured in modules so that students can start programs at a number of different entry points through the year. By September, Williamson-Persh anticipates enrolment at 450 stu- dents. Williamson-Persh said the new college should be of benefit to all partners involved and communities members. "I think everybody will win with this," he said. Exeter funds helped revive college The town's support of a study played a part in re -starting the college EXETER - The Town of Exet- er did play a part in the creation of the Centralia International College. Gino Giannandrea from the Huron County Board of Educa- tion said the $2,500 the town gave in March towards a fea- sibility study into the former Centralia Agricultural College's future uses was of some use. Although the Board of Educa- tion had considered operating some kind of education facility of its own at the college, Gian- nandrea said it was apparent maintenance costs alone for the buildings would have run $500- 800,000 a year. The feasibility study then looked at making the college a flight school in conjunction with Dimona Aircraft of London - a deal which almost went through. But in June another group came forward, which eventually put to- gether the Centralia International College concept and signed a 10 - year lease with the Ontario De- velopment Corporation. "It was a very positive looking future for the college...what that did was end the feasibility study group's work," said Giannandrea. He said he has every reason to believe the new college will be successful, and will generate about 100 jobs in Huron County. The group is negotiating affiliation agreements with the ministry of agriculture, the board of educa- tion, and Canada Employment. The support of the feasibility study group was important to make the new college possible, said Giannandrea. "I feel you should take some credit," he said, and added that out of the $11,000 budget given the feasibility study group, some money was left over. Exeter's share of the unspent funds amounts to a $365 rebate, he said. Centralia International College is expected to open this January, and among its students will be a large contingent of foreign stu- dents looking to upgrade tech- nical skills with Canadian ex- pertise. Fast Money. Order By November 30 And Get a OOThank-You Note. 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