"It's going to be a Beach," - Humber College President John Davies, speaking of the future of the Lakeshore
Humber College's phenomenal growth to become Canada's top granter of college-named, four-year bachelor degrees is largely fueling revitalization of Etobicoke's Lakeshore.
"I think the city sees us as a major agent for change in the Lakeshore revitalization," Humber College President John Davies said in a recent sit down interview in his office. "I'm delighted about that because I see it that way, too."
Humber's 25,000 full-time students makes it the largest college in Ontario. Another 55,000 study there part-time.
In the past decade, Humber has invested tens of millions of dollars to purchase or lease and "repurpose" the historic lives of some Lakeshore buildings.
Seven decades-old Lakeshore Lions Arena transformed into the state-of-the-art Humber Arts and Media Studios. The circa-1890s' Almont Hotel at Kipling Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard West opened in November as the upscale Humber Fashion Institute. In recent years, it had operated as a swingers' club.
A Mercedes dealership on Lake Shore Boulevard West became the Humber Centre for Justice Studies. Humber's "CSI" is a technology-based school for crime investigation and forensics studies. Police officers from across Canada take courses there to upgrade their skills and training.
The centre features a lecture theatre built around a simulated one-bedroom apartment used for crime scene reenactment. Next door, a forensics lab boasts state-of-the-art equipment, including a 3D microscope.
"The CSI program is the same as you see on TV. It's one of the first programs of its kind in Canada outside policing," said Rod Spencer, a retired 22 Division Toronto police superintendent, who is a Humber instructor at the centre.
Like the Mercedes dealership, Humber chooses to "repurpose" rather than demolish and replace existing buildings, Davies said.
In fact, current construction of its replacement 'L' Building is its first build on the campus on the former grounds of the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital. Open this September, the $35-million architectural and campus centerpiece will boast a high-end media lab, and be the focus of student commons and cafeteria.
Davies lauded Etobicoke-Lakeshore MPP Laurel Broten for helping Humber secure $30 million in provincial infrastructure funding for the build. The feds contributed another $5 million.
The college's Lakeshore Campus boasts 6,000 full-time students, most of whom attend classes in historic, renovated cottages on lands formerly occupied by the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital in a 99-year land lease with the city.
Enrolment pressure, particularly on the Lakeshore campus, is necessitating the college's expansion in the community.
Humber enrolment is increasing at 10 per cent per year.
Last summer, 60,000 applicants vied for 10,000 first-year spaces.
Future Humber challenges include finding additional real estate for its at-capacity residence of 400-plus students.
Humber owns a medical building next door to its fashion institute, as well as a strip plaza on the north side of Lake Shore Boulevard West at Nineteenth Street - both intended for future expansion.
"There will come a time when, perhaps, we'll take one of those buildings down and rebuild it. But that time is not now," said Davies, who has degrees in urban geography and urban planning, and acknowledges a desire to be engaged in "those bigger planning pieces."
Humber sees itself as a "driving force" in the Lakeshore's revitalization, Davies said.
"We come at (Lakeshore campus expansion) with a long history of being good neighbours, knowing the city and the community is really invested in the Lakeshore revitalization activity," Davies said. "We know we're the major institution along the Lakeshore. We know we can really be instrumental in bringing very positive changes on the Lakeshore and we think that way."
College officials never intended a gymnasium in its new Humber Arts and Media Studios. A need advocated by area youth for decades, Humber built the gym when asked. The community can also access dance studios in the facility at 300 Birmingham St.
Humber supports Pathways to Education, a program that helps north Etobicoke youth stay in high school and go on to post-secondary studies.
Humber's Lakeshore Campus sits amid the historic Lakeshore Grounds and the naturalized waterfront Colonel Samuel Smith Park.
Etobicoke's Lakeshore is close to the centre of the city, still relatively affordable, with great transit links.
"I've said to many people, 'If I was young, coming to Toronto right now, I'd be buying in Lakeshore,'" Davies said. "It's going to be a Beach. You can see it in Port Credit. It's developing a bit of a different vibe. I think (Etobicoke's Lakeshore) has got a better vibe to develop. It's got a historic street to relate to.
"I think it's not far off. It's a lot of concentrated work. I'm delighted that Humber will be a central part of it."