Yukon College unveils 'Campus Master Plan'

Yukon College has unveiled a plan for its growth over the next quarter of a century.

The college's Campus Master Plan outlines a vision for its Ayamdigut Campus a97-hectare land reserve in Whitehorse. In creating the plan, college officials consulted with students, faculty, nearby neighbourhoods, First Nations, the City of Whitehorse, and special interest groups.

The plan includes new teaching and research buildings around the existing campus, a range of new housing, new trails, outdoor learning opportunities and potential future commercial development within the campus area, and according toterritorial Minister of EducationDoug Graham,it's a solid blueprint for growth.

"As Whitehorse has grown, we understood the need to look at not only how we develop our land, we need to plan for future development," said Graham, "take into account our rising population, and what infrastructure may be needed in the years to come.

Graham added that he believes it is "essential" Yukon College receive a portion of the commercial property "on the Alaska Highway side, or at some point in between, because those are the kinds of things that will allow the college to exist to self-fund itself in the future."

The plan, which will outline the development of Yukon College's lands over the next two decades, also includes future growth of the Yukon Archive and the Yukon Arts Centre.

Rolf Hougen, a past chancellor of the college, says that he can "support [the plan]fully," but he does have one reservation.

"I would say again, I think we should have had Porter Creek D [a nearby residential subdivision]included in our planning."

Hougenpreviously said that he'd like to see land in Porter Creek D reserved for future college use, arguing that residential impact in the area could impact the college's growth.

Yukon residents can submit feedback on the plan at the college's websiteuntil June 17.